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Sundowns drop points yet again in Gallants stalemate

rugby17 September 2025 20:25| © Backpage TXT
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Mamelodi Sundowns missed out on the chance to reclaim top spot in the Betway Premiership after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Marumo Gallants at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on Wednesday night.

Miguel Cardoso side, who saw Sekhukhune United go two points above them on Tuesday, opened the scoring through Iqraam Rayners on 28 minutes, only to be pegged back eight minutes later by Keanu Cupido's own-goal.

Gallants were winless in their last three games, although a 1-1 draw with Polokwane City on 31 August arrested a run of two successive defeats.

Meanwhile, Bafana ba Style ran out 3-0 victors over Magesi on Sunday to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

The visitors enjoyed the lion's share of the possession in the first half and they threatened as early as the fourth minute when Peter Shalulile forced Washington Arubi into a smart save with a shot from the edge of the box.

Alexandre Lafitte's side created a couple of chances themselves and Ronwen Williams was called into action on eight minutes to keep out a shot from range.

However, Masandawana drew first blood just before the half-hour mark as Marcelo Allende did well to send in a cross from the right byline which was headed home by Rayners.

The hosts hit back just eight minutes later though, when Keanu Cupido diverted the ball into the back of his own net from Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo's cross.

It remained 1-1 at the break and Sundowns continued to see plenty of the ball in the second half, but they struggled to really test Arubi.

The Tshwane giants did come close two minutes after the restart as substitute Tashreeq Matthews latched onto a chipped pass from Teboho Mokoena before hitting the side-netting from an angle.

There were no really big chances at either end for the remainder of the match, although Arubi and Williams were required to make two saves each.

Marumo Gallants (1) 1 (Cupido 36' OG)

Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 1 (Rayners 28')

Marumo Gallants: W. Arubi, S. Ncube, M. Sikhosana, M. Chabatsane, L. Mabotja, S. Sithole, M. Mpambaniso, S. Nhlapo, D. Msendami (J. Clifford 86'), N. Ndlondlo (K. Sithole 86'), B. Mabuza (T. Motloung 70').

Mamelodi Sundowns: R. Williams, M. Khoza, T. Mokoena, K. Cupido, T. Morena (K. Mudau 70'), J. Adams (K. Lethlaku 61'), M. Allende, D. Lunga (A. Modiba 46'), A. Sales (L. Mothiba 76'), I. Rayners (T. Matthews 46'), P. Shalulile.

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