Sundowns strike late to earn draw against Kaizer Chiefs in MTN8 semi-final

Sundowns strike late to earn draw against Kaizer Chiefs in MTN8 semi-final

Khuliso Mudau netted in stoppage time to help Mamelodi Sundowns force a 1-1 draw against Kaizer Chiefs in the first-leg of the MTN8 semi-final at the FNB Stadium.

Edson Castillo had given Amakhosi the lead on the hour mark, and it looked as though the hosts would take a slender advantage into the second-leg before Mudau's late intervention.

Sundowns had come into the contest with a perfect record with six wins in six matches in the league and also knocking out Swallows in this competition.

Chiefs, meanwhile, did not start the current campaign on a good note but have been in good form of late having noyches up two consecutive victories in the PSL.

Masandawana dominated possession from the onset but found it difficult to break the home team's defence with Lucas Ribeiro testing goalkeeper Brandon Peterson with a powerful long-range effort that the shot-stopper did well to keep out.

The Soweto giants were content to sit in and soak up the pressure while releasing the likes of Ashley Du Preez and Pule Mmodi on the counter-attack.

Sundowns suffered a setback in the halfway through the opening period when playmaker Themba Zwane was forced to be substituted with an injury following an accidental collision with Yusuf Maart.

Chiefs took the lead when Du Preez found space on the right-hand side and sent in an excellent cross that Castillo finished with a brilliant diving header at the far-post.

Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena responded by bringing on attacker Junior Mendieta from the bench and the Argentine would prove to be an inspired choice.

After knocking on the door for the last 20 minutes to no avail, Mendieta delivered an inch-perfect ball into the penalty area that saw Mudau rise highest and beat Peterson with a bullet header in the third minute of stoppage-time.

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