Highlands Park frustrate Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns dropped points when they drew 1-1 with Highlands Park in an Absa Premiership match at the Dobsonville Stadium on Friday evening.

The result saw the Lions of the North move up to the seventh spot on the league standings, while the second-placed Brazilians are now three points behind leaders, Kaizer Chiefs.

The Lions of the North got off to the perfect start as they broke the deadlock through Peter Shalulile just six minutes into the encounter.

Shalulile controlled the ball well with his chest before hitting the back of the net make it 1-0 to Highlands Park - netting his 13th league goal of the season in the process.

The Brazilians had to find a way to respond with a goal, but the Lions of the North's defence looked compact and solid with Bevan Fransman marshaling the backline.

However, Sundowns upped the tempo after half-hour mark and they started creating chances with Gaston Sirino firing wide of the target after combing with Themba Zwane.

Bafana Bafana international Zwane then forced Highlands Park goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini into a great save with a long-range shot as pressure mounted on the home side.

Sundowns deservedly restored parity in the 40th minute when Gaston Sirino's pinpoint cross was headed home by Sphelele Mkhulise heading into the halftime break.

Owen Da Gama's side was the better side in the opening stages of the second half as they looked to restore their lead against the reigning Absa Premiership champions.

Shaulile, who is a Namibia international, was looking to use his blistering speed and sublime skills to unlock the visitors' defence.

Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane decided to hand promising attacker Promise Mkhuma his professional debut as the visitors looked to take the lead for the first time.

Mkhuma had an opportunity to score on debut in the 73rd minute, but the South Africa under-20 international placed his shot wide of the target.

Da Gama reacted by introducing Mokete Mogaila, who tried to make an immediate impact, but he was denied twice by Sundowns keeper Denis Onyango in the closing stages of the match.

Both teams launched attacks in the dying minutes of the match, but they could not find the back of the net and ultimately the game ended in a 1-1 draw on the night.

Highlands (1) 1 (Shalulile 6')

Sundowns (1) 1 (Mkhulise 40')

Highlands: Kapini, Mokoena, Mbhele, Fransman, Ramoraka, Mzava, Nyatama (Mogaila 70'), Mbatha, Makhaula (Rae 90'+3), Mvala, Shaulile.

Sundowns: Onyango, Maboe, Langerman, Nascimento (Arendse 79'), Madisha, Coetzee, Mkhulise, Kekana (Laffor 90'+2), Sirino (Lakay 90'+2), Zwane (Mkhuma 59'), Vilakazi (Makgalwa 59').