Mabasa penalty earns Stellenbosch draw as Sundowns miss chance to reclaim top spot

Late equaliser keeps Orlando Pirates atop Betway Premiership ahead of weekend fixtures.

Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 1-1 draw by Stellenbosch FC at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday night, missing an opportunity to overtake Orlando Pirates at the summit of the Betway Premiership¹²³.

Tshegofatso Mabasa, a former Pirates player brought on as a substitute, converted an 86th-minute penalty to cancel out Katlego Ntsabeleng's 27th-minute opener for Sundowns¹²³. The spot-kick was awarded after a challenge by Sundowns centreback Khulumani Ndamane¹². Mabasa's first penalty attempt had been saved before he scored from the retake¹².

Ntsabeleng had given Sundowns the lead midway through the first half, combining with Arthur Sales before finishing into the top corner³. The goal marked his second in consecutive league matches³.

The result leaves Pirates top of the table on 58 points from 25 matches, with Sundowns second on 57 points from 24 games¹². Sundowns retain a game in hand and could reclaim first place if they defeat Richards Bay FC away on Saturday¹².

Sundowns had rotated their lineup following their qualification for the CAF Champions League final, restoring several key players including Grant Kekana, Aubrey Modiba and Marcelo Allende³. The hosts dominated possession and territory but failed to extend their advantage¹².

A disallowed goal by Tashreeq Matthews for offside shortly after half-time also influenced the outcome¹². An early defensive error by Modiba in the 17th minute had briefly given Stellenbosch an opening, with Devin Titus denied by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams¹³.

Pirates face Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby at FNB Stadium on Sunday, with Chiefs pushing for third place¹². A Sundowns victory on Saturday would increase pressure on Pirates ahead of that fixture¹².