BIDVEST WITS might only have a mathematical chance of winning the Absa Premiership this season, but they will feel they had a lot do with where the title goes at the end of the season with a late equaliser against Mamelodi Sundowns here last night.
The two sides fought it out to a 1-1 draw.
In his first league start, Zaid Patel rained on Sundowns' parade when he grabbed a last-gasp goal in the 90th minute to cancel out Nyasha Mushekwi's 11th minute opener. Before last night, Patel had only come on as a sub in a cup game against Moroka Swallows last week.
He was now the hero for the Clever Boys and dealt Sundowns a heavy blow as they remain top of the Premier League table, but only four points clear of Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates who are second and third on the log, respectively. Chiefs and Pirates both have a game in hand.
Sundowns seemed to have the full three points in the bag as the clock was winding down and coach Johan Neeskens was furious that his side did not take their chances, especially in the first half. "We gave this game away, but this is football," he said after the final whistle.
Mushekwi had continued to prove why he is preferred ahead of Bafana Bafana marksman Katlego Mphela by scoring Sundowns' opening goal and his seventh of the season - just two behind Mphela - early on.
The Zimbabwean's goal was well taken as he connected with a cross from right-back Siyabonga Ngubane and beat Wits goalkeeper Emile Baron.
Mushekwi could have had more in the first half, heading straight into Baron in the 29th minute and making a meal out of being shrugged off the ball - screaming for a penalty as he went down in the box - by David D'Oliveira.
Downs rued their missed chances and they might look to these dropped points when they travel to the Mother City to take on much tougher opposition in Ajax Cape Town on Saturday.
Sundowns goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands had also kept his team in the game and closer to the maximum points with some brilliant saves.
He made a double save in the 45th minutes when he denied Sibusiso Vilakazi and D'Oliveira.
D'Oliveira also saw his shot come off the woodwork in the 57th minute, having beaten Sandilands. With Mphela coming off the bench for Mushekwi late in the second half, the former thought he had scored the winning goal in injury time, but the assistant referee ruled it offside.
lBlack Leopards are in the Premiership to stay, club chairman David Thidiela insisted after his side pipped three-time champions SuperSport United 1-0 at Giyani Stadium in an early match yesterday.
The win saw Leopards move from the foot of the table to second from bottom, above Jomo Cosmos. Leopards captain Mongezi Bobe scored the all-important goal against Matsatsantsa.
"The boys played to the best of their ability and this team will never be relegated," he said. - Additional reporting by Ramatsiyi Moholoa
Bidvest Wits knock Sundowns with late goal
BIDVEST WITS might only have a mathematical chance of winning the Absa Premiership this season, but they will feel they had a lot do with where the title goes at the end of the season with a late equaliser against Mamelodi Sundowns here last night.
The two sides fought it out to a 1-1 draw.
In his first league start, Zaid Patel rained on Sundowns' parade when he grabbed a last-gasp goal in the 90th minute to cancel out Nyasha Mushekwi's 11th minute opener. Before last night, Patel had only come on as a sub in a cup game against Moroka Swallows last week.
He was now the hero for the Clever Boys and dealt Sundowns a heavy blow as they remain top of the Premier League table, but only four points clear of Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates who are second and third on the log, respectively. Chiefs and Pirates both have a game in hand.
Sundowns seemed to have the full three points in the bag as the clock was winding down and coach Johan Neeskens was furious that his side did not take their chances, especially in the first half. "We gave this game away, but this is football," he said after the final whistle.
Mushekwi had continued to prove why he is preferred ahead of Bafana Bafana marksman Katlego Mphela by scoring Sundowns' opening goal and his seventh of the season - just two behind Mphela - early on.
The Zimbabwean's goal was well taken as he connected with a cross from right-back Siyabonga Ngubane and beat Wits goalkeeper Emile Baron.
Mushekwi could have had more in the first half, heading straight into Baron in the 29th minute and making a meal out of being shrugged off the ball - screaming for a penalty as he went down in the box - by David D'Oliveira.
Downs rued their missed chances and they might look to these dropped points when they travel to the Mother City to take on much tougher opposition in Ajax Cape Town on Saturday.
Sundowns goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands had also kept his team in the game and closer to the maximum points with some brilliant saves.
He made a double save in the 45th minutes when he denied Sibusiso Vilakazi and D'Oliveira.
D'Oliveira also saw his shot come off the woodwork in the 57th minute, having beaten Sandilands. With Mphela coming off the bench for Mushekwi late in the second half, the former thought he had scored the winning goal in injury time, but the assistant referee ruled it offside.
lBlack Leopards are in the Premiership to stay, club chairman David Thidiela insisted after his side pipped three-time champions SuperSport United 1-0 at Giyani Stadium in an early match yesterday.
The win saw Leopards move from the foot of the table to second from bottom, above Jomo Cosmos. Leopards captain Mongezi Bobe scored the all-important goal against Matsatsantsa.
"The boys played to the best of their ability and this team will never be relegated," he said. - Additional reporting by Ramatsiyi Moholoa
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