Mamelodi Sundowns may consider themselves fortunate to have walked away from FNB Stadium with a point after being held to a 1-1 draw by Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.
Amakhosi produced arguably their most impressive performance of the young 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign and, for long periods, looked the more dangerous side.
READ | Five big talking points from Kaizer Chiefs’ 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns
Rewarded for their pressure
The Glamour Boys were rewarded for their pressure when Langelihle Phili fired them into the lead in the 62nd minute following excellent work from Siphesihle Ndlovu, who burst through the Mamelodi Sundowns defence before setting up the forward.
At that stage, Mamelodi Sundowns appeared short of answers, with Kaizer Chiefs pressing for a second goal and looking increasingly comfortable.
But the visitors found an equaliser almost out of nowhere.
Just 15 minutes after Kaizer Chiefs had taken the lead, Cassius Mailula came off the bench and headed home after Grant Kekana returned a hopeful cross into the danger area.
It was a moment of opportunism from Mamelodi Sundowns, who had struggled to create clear-cut opportunities for much of the match.
Kaizer Chiefs refused to settle for the draw and pushed forward in search of a winner, but Mamelodi Sundowns managed to withstand the late pressure and leave Johannesburg with a point.
So, were Mamelodi Sundowns lucky?
On the balance of the 90 minutes, Kaizer Chiefs can certainly feel that they deserved more than a draw.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ ability to punish the smallest lapse ultimately earned them a point, but the Brazilians will know they were second best for significant periods of the contest.
For Kaizer Chiefs, the positive is that they remain top of the standings with seven points from three matches and have shown they can compete with the league champions.
For Mamelodi Sundowns, meanwhile, the performance raises questions about whether they were good enough to earn the point – or simply fortunate to escape with it.
Up next
Kaizer Chiefs’ next match will be an away clash against Richards Bay on Wednesday, 26 August at 19:30, while Mamelodi Sundowns will next be in action against Marumo Gallants on Wednesday, 19 August, also at 19:30.
Can Kaizer Chiefs consider themselves unlucky?
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