by Dzudzie Faith Netshisaulu
A late goal from Khuliso Mudau secured a draw for Mamelodi Sundowns, spoiling the mood for Kaizer Chiefs, who had taken the lead earlier on in their MTN8 semi-final match played at the FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
This was their first leg of the semis, the second leg will be played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on the 23rd of September, with Sundowns being the hosts.
Amakhosi were set for a victory after Edson Castillo put them ahead with their only effort on target through the game, but Khuliso Mudau popped up with a superbly-taken equaliser to ensure the score is level heading into the deciding second leg in Tshwane later this month.
Sundowns dominated ball possession from early on and succeeded in controlling the tempo of the game, though they struggled to find a way through Chiefs’ resilient defence, with the only notable effort in the opening half hour coming from Lucas Ribeiro Costa, who called goalkeeper Brandon Petersen into action with an attempted lob in the 22nd minute.
The Brazilians suffered an unlucky injury blow when the influential Themba Zwane was accidentally caught in the face by the heel of Yusuf Maart, forcing the 37th minute introduction of Lesiba Nku off the substitutes’ bench.
The start of the second half saw the Amakhosi introduce Colombian forward Jasond Gonzalez to make his official debut, but it was another South American, Venezuelan Edson Castillo, who broke the deadlock in the 61st minute.
The match looked set to end 1-0 in favour of the home side, but three minutes into injury time at the end of the game the Brazilians equalised: substitute Junior Mendieta provided a superb in-swinging cross from the left and Khuliso Mudau sent a bullet header beyond even the excellent Petersen to ensure the game ended 1-1.
Sunday will see Orlando Pirates travel to the Athlone Stadium to face Stellenbosch United for the second semi-finals of the tournament. Kick-off is at 3pm. Pirates will then host Stellenbosch on Sunday the 24th at the Orlando Stadium, kick-off will also be at 3pm.
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Castillo 61’)
Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 1 (Mudau 90+3’)
Chiefs: Petersen, Msimango, Kwinika, Ditlhokwe, Hlanti, Maart, Castillo, Mdantsane (Gonzalez 46’), Mmodi (Matlou 79’), Potsane (Frosler 79’), Du Preez
Sundowns: Williams, Mvala, Coetzee (Aubaas 76’), Boutouil (Mabena 76’), Mudau, Mokoena, Allende, Maema (Mendieta 65’), Modiba (Mashego 76’), Zwane (Nku 37’), Ribeiro Costa