Downs held at home by Stars
Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 1-all draw by Platinum Stars at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in an entertaining Absa Premiership game on Wednesday night. Dove Wome opened the scoring for the Tshwane side with a well-struck free kick before his strike was cancelled out by Robert Nga’mbi late in the match with only 10 minutes left on the clock.
The first half proved to be a bore fest as both teams failed to conjure up any real chances. Both keepers were virtually on holiday as they were not tested at all. Stars’s Ngambi had the home fans worried in the 40th minute when he cut through the Downs defence but scuffed his shot wide.
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane gave new recruit Khama Billiat his first start since joining from Ajax Cape Town but that did little to trouble the visitors who sat back and tried to catch the Brazilians on the break. Both teams came into the game on the back of impressive wins – Sundowns hammering Bloemfontein Celtics 3-1 while Stars ran out 4-2 winners against Bidvest Wits in the MTN8 competition over the weekend.
Both teams lacked the spark that promised so much before the game and if the game was going to come alive in the second half, changes were needed. The second half began much like the first with both teams failing to fashion out any clear-cut chances. Bongani Zungu had the ball in the back of the net minutes from the interval. However, the fans’ celebrations were short-lived as the goal was ruled offside.
It took former Free State Stars man Wome to break the deadlock with a good free kick on the edge of the area. Stars’ keeper Siyabonga Mpontshane failed to hold on to weak effort from Wome and the ball sneaked past him to give Sundowns the lead. Tebogo Langerman wasted two good opportunities in a space of three minutes to double his side’s lead. He shot over the bar with only Mpontshane to beat after good play from midfield and again shot straight at the keeper a minute later.
Robert Nga’mbi equalised for Dikwena with a good header inside the box after Downs failed to clear their lines at the back. The Malawian rose the highest to silence the home fans who had found their voice before the equalizer. The game also saw the return of fan-favourite Lebohang Mokoena after missing the past season with an injury. Kennedy Mweene had to dive low to keep his team in the game by denying Henriko Bortes . Both teams tried to go for the winner but had to settle for a point each.
Other results: Free State Stars 2 Maritzburg 0, Polokwane City 2 Bloemfontein Celtic 3, Bidvest Wits 1 Golden Arrows 0, AmaTuks 0 SuperSport 1.
Katlego Modiba