Sundowns held at Stars

Platinum Stars dented Mamelodi Sundowns' title hopes when they held the big spending Brazilians to a draw.

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Platinum Stars dented Mamelodi Sundowns' title hopes when they held the big spending Brazilians to a 1-1 draw in their Absa Premiership clash at a sweltering Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Sunday.

Downs slipped to fourth place on 32 points – three behind leaders Orlando Pirates.

It was Stars' ninth draw in 17 matches and once again their lack of fire power was exposed, To their credit, however, the visitors defended as though their lives depended on it in the second half to snatch a valuable point.

The draw has done little to ease the pressure on Sundowns head coach Antonio Lopez Habas who came under fire this week from the fans who staged a revolt at the clubs Chloorkop headquarters and training base, complaining about Habas and his technical team.

Downs have won only one match in their last six league games and their title hopes look to be slipping away.

The hosts were without new midfield signing Teko Modise and without leading goal scorer Katlego Mphela who has gone missing because the club has refused to sell him to a European outfit.

Modise was signed for a reported fee of R6-million last week but is not guaranteed a place in Habas’ side.

“He will have to prove himself at training,” said the Downs coach.

Stars delivered a sucker punch to the Brazilians and led 1-0 at half-time against the run of play thanks to a well taken goal from Joseph Molangoane three minutes before the break.

The visiting side's Zimbabwean international goalkeeper, Tapuwa Kapini, had an outstanding first half and made a couple of superb saves that kept them in the game.

Sundowns started well and came close to scoring when Elias Pelembe fired fractionally wide of the post in the third minute.

Three minutes later Stars created a chance when Edward Williams' shot was deflected onto the Downs crossbar.

Kapini did well in the 17th minute when he stopped a powerfully struck free kick from Franklin Cale on the edge of the penalty area.

Stars' Namibian international striker, Henrico Botes, had a disappointing first half. He headed over the crossbar on 24 minutes and then wasted a chance to break the deadlock in the 33rd minute when he hit the side netting.

Kapini was on form again in the 26th minute when he was well positioned to save a powerfully struck header from his countryman Nyasha Mushekwi who connected a pinpoint Innocent Mdledle cross.

Two minutes later Kapini put his body on the line to deny Mushekwi a shot on goal as the Brazilians threatened to swamp Stars.

But with the home side piling on the pressure, they were caught napping at the back when Williams threaded through a brilliant ball for Molangoane who drew keeper Wayne Sandilands. Williams made no mistake with a clinical finish to put Stars 1-0 ahead in the 42nd minute.

Downs, as expected, had Stars under more pressure at the start of the second half. Pelembe, who had a storming game, shot wide with a wicked left footed volley in the 57th minute.

Pelembe’s hard work and perseverance paid off two minutes later when the wide awake Mushekwi levelled the match with a stunning flying header after connecting with Pelembe’s accurate right wing cross.

Mozambican international Pelembe was firing on all cylinders and delivered another stunning cross in the 62nd minute, which Mabhuti Khenyeza headed wide.

Khenyeza wasted another chance three minutes later when he fired the ball straight at Kapini from close range.

The miss of the half, however, came 10 minutes later when Khenyeza floated over a cross, which pulled Kapini out of position, but the cross was missed by substitute Richard Henyekane.

Stars almost caught Downs on the counter attack in the 77th minute when Solomon Mathe's shot was deflected for a corner.

The hosts threw everything expect the kitchen sink at Stars but failed to get the winner and had to settle for a single point. – Sapa

Source: http://www.iol.co.za/sundowns-held-at-stars-1.1018916

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