Absa Premiership
Result: Bdvest Wits 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 23 February 2019
Venue: Bidvest Stadium
Mamelodi Sundowns once again missed the chance to move top of the Absa Premiership table after playing to a 1-1 draw with league leaders Bidvest Wits.
Wayne Arendse recovered from a knock sustained earlier in the week to partner Ricardo Nascimento in the defence, while Gavin Hunt handed a start to Fagrie Lakay.
Downs winger Phakamani Mahlambi was handed a start against his former side and he got off to the perfect start when he rifled the ball home from close range to put Sundowns ahead after seven minutes.
Despite failing behind early on, the Clever Boys took the initiative to Sundowns as Gift Motupa hit the woodwork with a header, while Denis Onyango was forced to rush off his line to deny the former Orlando Pirates man.
Wits were eventually gifted the equaliser on 33 minutes. when an error from Ricardo Nascimento allowed Motupa to sneak in and clip the ball over the on-rushing Onyango.
Sundowns were all over the place defensively and they were punished seven minutes before the break when Arendse was shown a straight red card for bringing down Lakay who had a clear path at goal.
There was a significant drop in the tempo in the second half, as Sundowns understandably changed their approach due to the numerical disadvantage.
Sundowns were then dealt a blow just before the 70-minute mark as the influential Mahlambi was forced off with an injury, but instead of bringing on another attacking player, Pitso Mosimane threw on Rivaldo Coetzee.
The injury woes worsened for the visitors with 15 minutes remaining, as goalkeeper Onyango was forced off with a hamstring injury and replaced by Reyaad Pieterse.
Despite having the numerical advantage, Wits really struggled to carve out any chances in the final third against a Sundowns side who were happy with the point.
In the end, nothing could separate the two sides as Wits maintain their two-point lead over the Brazilians.
Here's how they lined up:
Wits: 16. Keet, 2. Mere, 3. Hlatshwayo, 6. Johannes, 13. Hlanti, 12. Scott, 17. Alexander, 11. Hotto, 37. Ritchie (Pelembe 46'), 24. Motupa, 25. Lakay (Murray 79'). Subs: 23. Goss, 4. Nonyane, 7. Pelembe, 14. Claasen, 19. Mhango, 9. Murray, 45. Majoro. Sundowns: 14. Onyango (Pieterse 75'), 16. Ngcongca, 6. Arendse, 3. Nascimento, 2. Lebusa, 8. Kekana, 13. Mabunda, 23. Lakay, 18. Zwane, 33. Maboe, 34. Mahlambi (Coetzee 70'). Subs: 31. Pieterse, 5. Jali, 28. Laffor, 26. Sirino, 40. Coetzee, 12. Tade.
