Kaizer Chiefs came close to ending their long wait for a league victory over Mamelodi Sundowns but had to settle for a 1-1 draw at a packed FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The result will offer encouragement to Amakhosi, who produced a spirited performance against one of South Africa’s dominant sides, but the draw means their search for a Premiership win over Sundowns continues.
After a goalless first half, Chiefs finally broke the deadlock in the 64th minute when new signing Langelihle Phili put the hosts ahead.
The lead, however, lasted just 11 minutes.
Cassius Mailula, making an impact since returning to Sundowns, struck in the 75th minute to level the contest. It was his second goal since returning to the Brazilians and gave the visitors a route back into the match.
The final stages were played at an intense pace, with both sides pushing for a winner. Chiefs had the backing of a passionate home crowd, while Sundowns continued to threaten on the counter.
Neither team could find the decisive goal, leaving the points shared after an entertaining encounter.
Chiefs can take positives
Although the result extended Chiefs’ wait for a league victory over Sundowns, Amakhosi can take confidence from their display.
Their last Premiership victory against the Brazilians came on 25 April 2021, when Chiefs came from behind to win 2-1 at Loftus Versfeld.
Sundowns have since established a clear advantage in the fixture, making Saturday’s performance particularly significant for Chiefs as they continue rebuilding.
Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso praised the quality of the contest, describing it as a “very beautiful football match”.
The draw leaves Chiefs with seven points from three matches, while Sundowns have four points from two games.
For Chiefs, the result may not have ended the wait, but it demonstrated that Amakhosi are capable of competing with the league’s leading force.