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Sundowns, City share the spoils

football20 August 2019 19:26| © Backpage TXT
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Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City played out a 1-1 draw in their Absa Premiership clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Tuesday evening.

The result, secured by goals from Hlompho Kekana and Dove Edmilson, saw both the Brazilians and the Citizens move to five points apiece – one adrift of co-leaders Bidvest Wits, Kaizer Chiefs and Polokwane City.

Sundowns almost claimed the lead on three minutes, with a loose ball in the penalty falling for Lyle Lakay, but the left-back's on-target shot was just about turned away – via the upright – by goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh.

Yet the Sundowns faithful didn't have to wait much longer, with an incredible goal arriving in the eighth minute.

Midfielder Kekana let fly from roughly midway inside City's half and scored a contender for goal of the season, with the cannon-like shot hitting the net via the inside of the goalkeeper's right-hand post.

City were stunned by the fast start from their hosts, but they gradually worked their way into the game and deservedly drew level in the 25th minute.

A corner kick ended at the feet of Dove Edmilson on the left of the penalty area, and from a tight angle he drove a shot home via the inside of Denis Onyango's left-hand post to make it 1-1.

On 28 minutes City nearly claimed the lead, as defender Keanu Cupido got on the end of a corner kick and saw his header rebound off Onyango's right-hand post – the fourth strike of the woodwork within the opening half hour.

The Cape side continued to push forward and on 41 minutes Kermit Erasmus played a great pass to put Thato Mokeke in on goal, but the midfielder fluffed the chance with only Onyango to beat, leaving the game locked at 1-1 heading into the interval.

The frame of the goal was hit yet again in the 55th minute when a Sundowns corner kick struck Wayne Arendse and was headed on target, only for Ralani to clear the danger via the post he was guarding.

Sundowns suffered an injury blow in the second half when substitute attacker Keletso Makgalwa was caught on the Achilles in a challenge and eventually had to be replaced by Anele Ncgongca just 13 minutes after being brought on.

The remainder of the match passed with neither side able to create any notable scoring chances, leaving them to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Sundowns will be in CAF Champions League action this weekend before facing Bloemfontein Celtic next Wednesday, while City will tackle Kaizer Chiefs at home next Tuesday.

Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 1 (Kekana 8’)

Cape Town City (1) 1 (Edmilson 25’)

Sundowns: Onyango, Morena, Arendse, Lebusa, Lakay, Sirino (Makgalwa 63’ [Ncgongca 76’]), Kekana, Coetzee, Zwane, Vilakazi (Mkhulise 87’), Maboe

City: Leeuwenburgh, Mkhize, Cupido, Edmilson, Seedat, Martin, Mobara, Mokeke, Ralani (Kewuti 78’), Makola (Norodien 85’), Erasmus (Mthembu 72’)

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