Sundowns on the brink of glory
Wits could only draw 2-2 at Mpumalanga Black Aces Tuesday, opening the door for Mamelodi Sundowns to clinch a record-extending seventh South African Premiership title.
Sundowns visit relegation-threatened Pretoria University Wednesday for a local derby and victory will give them an unassailable eight-point lead with two rounds remaining.
Unfashionable Johannesburg outfit Wits thought they had snatched a late win and a title race lifeline when Sibusiso Vilakazi put them 2-1 up on 88 minutes in north-eastern city Nelspruit.
But Zamuxolo Ngalo turned party-pooper in the final minute at Mbombela Stadium, poking the ball in at the far post after a corner was nodded into his path.
It was a thrilling finish to a lively match in which Thabo Nodada side-footed fifth-place Aces ahead after eight minutes.
Wits responded with a string of attacks and deservedly levelled on 34 minutes when Vilakazi scored with a looping header off a Daine Klate cross.
Burly Portuguese Joaquim Lupeta -- deputising for injured English striker James Keene -- squandered several chances to put Wits in front during the second half.
But all was forgiven when slick passes by Klate and Mozambican Elias 'Domingues' Pelembe sent Vilakazi through to score from close range.
Wits' bench had not ceased celebrating when Ngalo equalised to leave Sundowns needing two points from three games to bank the 10 million Rand ($690,000, 600,000 euros) first prize.
Drawing did guarantee Wits second place in the Premiership for the first time and qualification for the 2017 CAF Champions League with Sundowns.