Port Elizabeth – Thamsanqa Sangweni scored a ferocious freekick and later was sent off as Chippa United held Mamelodi Sundowns to a 1-1 draw in their Premiership match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday.
The first half was a pinball affair with no real threat imposed on either goalkeeper, and the second half was much more open as Chippa chased the match.
In the 14th minute, David Zulu showed Sundowns defender Ramahlwe Mpahlele a clean pair of heels but his cross into the box was collected by goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene.
Sundowns' best chance came in the 24th minute when Khama Billiat delivered a brilliant cross into the box, but Siyabonga Zulu was first on the ball to clear the danger before the striker arrived.
Downs took the lead in the 30th minute, Billiat beat his marker and drew the goalkeeper off his line before finding Cuthbert Malajila with a low cross which the burly striker fired home.
On the stroke of half-time Sundowns suffered an injury as Teko Modise was stretchered off and was replaced by Kudakwashe Mahachi at the start of the second half.
After the break, Billiat was presented with a good chance by Elias Pelembe inside the box but Christoph Komane was on call to clear the danger in the 52nd minute.
In the 59th minute Mphahlele committed an unnecessary foul on David Zulu on the edge of the box and escaped without a booking.
Sangweni took the resultant freekick, curled it over the wall and past Sundowns goalkeeper Mweene to level matters on the hour mark.
In the 76th minute, Zulu turned his marker and found George Akpabio inside the box but the Nigerian's shot at lacked the required direction and flew wide off Mweene's goals.
Two minutes later, Billiat found himself with the ball inside the Chippa box but he lacked composure as he fired wide.
Sangweni was reduced from hero to zero in the 85th minute as he was sent off for pulling back Tebogo Langerman on the edge of the box. It was a second yellow for the former Sundowns man who got his first yellow for a foul on Modise.
The draw was a blow to the defending champions Sundowns who trail log-leaders Kaizer Chiefs by 10 points. – Sapa