Stellies subdue Sundowns with late equaliser

Stellies subdue Sundowns with late equaliser

A late equaliser from Iqraam Rayners earned Stellenbosch FC a 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns at Danie Craven Stadium on Sunday.

With just two minutes gone, Sundowns goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse was called into action as Junior Mendieta had a go at goal from close range.

Downs youngster Ntando Nkosi was proving a threat and produced an inch-perfect pass over the top for Haashim Domingo, who took it down with his chest and got a shot off but Sage Stephens did well to keep the ball out of the net.

In the 26th minute, Mendieta's left footed shot from the centre of the box was close, but missed the top left corner from a corner.

Stellies were the side on the front foot and in the 38th minute Devon Titus found himself with some space in the box and took a shot but Rivaldo Coetzee made a vital block and resulted in a corner for the home side.

Downs had their first real opportunity with five minutes to go before half-time when Peter Shalulile's dangerous ball in for Thapelo Morena, who hit it first time but his shot was just inches wide.

Soon after, Shalulile made a well-timed run into the box with the ball and shot first time but it went across the face of goal.

In the 54th minute, Jayden Adams let fly with a volley from the edge of the box but Pieterse made an excellent save down low.

The Brazilians were piling on the pressure and the moment of inspiration once again came from the in-from Cassius Mailula,who hit the back of the net from Shalulile's free-kick.

The league leaders then gave away a penalty with three minutes to go with Sipho Mbule committing the foul and Iqraam Rayners planted the penalty into the top right corner to claim a share of the spoils for the hosts.