Moroka Swallows striker Gabadinho Mhango scored late in the game as the Dube Birds secured a 2-2 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns in the DStv Premiership at Dobsonville Stadium on Monday night.
Sundowns were 2-0 up thanks to goals by Teboho Mokoena and Marcelo Allende, but Sallows fought back in the second half to salvage a point. Augustine Mahlonoko and Gabadinho Mhango scored for Swallows.
Below are the talking points as Swallows and Sundowns, played out to an entertaining draw.
CHANGES IN THE STARTING LINE-UPS
Sundowns made four changes to the team that defeated AmaTuks in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals last Friday. Khuliso Mudau, Devine Lunga, Thembinkosi Lorch and Peter Shalulile came on for Grant Kekana, Neo Maema, Themba Zwane and Thapelo Morena.
For the Dube Birds, there were five changes to the side that edged Richards Bay FC last time out. Thabang Maponya, Falakhe Tshanini, Sipho Sibiya, Tlakusani Mthethwa and Lwanda Mbanjwa were replaced by Mashweu Mphahlele, Ntsikelelo Ngqonga, Kwanda Mngonyama, Roland Sanou and Jacobs Everson.
TEBOHO MOKOENA SCORES A STUNNER AND GETS INJURED
Sundowns star Teboho Mokoena showed his class once again, netting a stunner from outside the box in the 36th minute. He was unfortunate as he sustained an injury, therefore he was immediately substituted and replaced by Sipho Mbule.
SUNDOWNS OPEN A 14-POINT GAP AT THE TOP
The draw saw Masandawana open a massive 14-point gap on the summit of the log standings after amassing 53 points. They remain the only side yet to taste defeat this season, following 16 victories and five draws from 21 matches. Second-placed Stellenbosch FC has managed to collect 39 points from 22 outings.
On the other hand, the Soweto side remain 14th with 26 points from 24 encounters. Swallows are eight points ahead of relegation-threatened Richards Bay FC, who are 15th with 17 points.
MOROKA SWALLOWS CAN’T KEEP A CLEAN SHEET
The Soweto side is shaky at the back and struggling to keep clean sheets. In their last six league matches, Swallows have managed to register one clean sheet in a 1-0 win against Cape Town Spurs. In the process, they have conceded nine goals.
SWALLOWS REGISTER THIRD DRAW AGAINST HIGH-PROFILE TEAM
The result against Sundowns was Swallows’ third draw against PSL high-profile teams after their off-the-field issues in the past months. Firstly, they drew 0-0 against Kaizer Chiefs, and then they played out to a 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME SUNDOWNS DROP POINTS AFTER LEADING 2-0 UNDER RULANI MOKWENA
The game against Swallows was the second time under Rulani Mokwena that Sundowns had thrown away a two-goal lead and dropped points after leading 2-0. The first match was last season, in May 2023, in a 2-2 draw against AmaZulu FC.
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