Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns played to a 1-1 draw in an Absa Premiership match at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Teko Modise opened the score for the Brazilians, while George Lebese equalized. The Amakhosi stay on top of the log, having 29 points from 11 games.

Erick Mathoho and Kingston Nkhatha were back in the Amakhosi’s starting line-up compared to the last Absa Premiership game against AmaZulu (2-1 win). Instead, Morgan Gould and Bernard Parker started on the bench, like George Maluleka, who had recovered from his recent injury.

Both teams started with a willingness to attack, although the visitors had slightly the upper hand in the early stages of this encounter (when it comes to having ball possession in dangerous areas), despite the Amakhosi having overall most of the ball possession. However, it was Chiefs striker Kingston Nkhatha who got the first real chance to open the scoreline in the 20th minute. However, his shot was directed too close to the Sundowns goalkeeper, who made a relatively easy save.

A set-piece in the 32nd minute, well taken by Siphiwe Tshabalala, came close to the opening goal. But the ball flew slightly too high, only just touching Chiefs defender Tefu Mashamaite’s head at the far post. So close, but not yet.

Meanwhile, Brazilians coach Pitso Mosimane got the Amakhosi faithful going with some unnecessary antics on the sideline every time the referee blew for a free kick for the home side.

Sundowns’ first real chance came just before halftime, but Modise’s slightly miss-hit the shot and the ball rolled past the wrong side of the post.

The first half ended with no goals. But it was interesting to watch, certainly from a tactical point of view with both teams testing each other like a game of chess. The Amakhosi got their chances with Tshabalala, playing behind striker Nkhatha, showing what a class player he is, with little touches and good off-the-ball movement.

Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter made a substitution during the break, bringing on Bernard Parker for Mandla Masango with the idea to put more pressure on the Sundowns defence in the second half. Masango, who has been in fine form this season, had a relatively quiet match.

However, it was Sundowns that took the lead in the 53rd minute. A curling shot from Modise, from just inside the box, disappeared into the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo little chance.

Chiefs now had to come and score an equalizer, which resulted in the Brazilians trying to quickly counter-attack whenever in ball possession. But it was the home side that scored. Parker was influential and it was, after some quick passing, Lebese who kicked the ball past the Sundowns goalkeeper in the 65th minute,1-1.

The clash was a close encounter. Amakhosi’s George Maluleka was brought on to help force a second goal in the 82nd minute to the applause of the home crowd.

Three minutes later Chiefs nearly scored, again Mashamaite got into a dangerous position after a set-piece taken by Tshabalala. However, the ball failed to disappear into the Sundowns goal.

In the end, the 1-1 draw was probably a fair result, despite Chiefs having had more real opportunities to score.

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Lebese 65’)

Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 1 (Modise 53’)

Teams:

Kaizer Chiefs: Khuzwayo , Gaxa, Mashamaite (C), Mathoho, Masilela, Masango (Parker 46’), Letsholonyane, Katsande, Tshabalala, Lebese, Nkhatha (Maluleka 82’)

Mamelodi Sundowns: Mweene, Mphahlele, Nthethe, Schut (C), Mashaba, Zungu, Kekana, Malajila (Evans 90’), Billiat (Ramagalela 68’), Modise, Zwane (Mokoena 59’)