Sundowns held in thriller
AmaZulu and Mamelodi Sundowns drew 3-3 Sunday in a South African Premiership thriller between two mid-table clubs that left both coaches with mixed emotions.
"We were leading with five minutes remaining and had Sundowns against the ropes," said AmaZulu coach Cavin Johnson after the match in Indian Ocean port city Durban.
"I thought we should have been awarded a free-kick in the build-up to the late Sundowns equaliser, which resulted from a mix-up between our goalkeeper and a defender.
"That said, it was a great match and a wonderful advertisement for South African football. I have not seen a better local match this season."
Pitso Mosimane, a former South Africa striker and coach who guided Sundowns to the 2016 CAF Champions League title, said his team "should always win when they score three away goals.
"Not securing all three points was disappointing having scored three times and the goals we conceded were scrappy affairs with the ball bouncing all over the place.
"Some may blame our goalkeeper (Reyaad Pieterse), but not me. Even (Manchester United and Spain goalkeeper) David de Gea makes mistakes.
"It was a beautiful game for spectators and viewers -- full of all that is best in South African football."
The match attracted a near-capacity crowd to the 10,000-seat King Zwelithini Stadium and those who could not afford a 40 rand ($2.70/2.30 euro) ticket climbed trees to watch.
Others stood on a hill overlooking the ground in a Durban suburb and they saw AmaZulu take the lead after only five minutes through Butholezwe Ncube.
Phakamani Mahlambi, who recently return to South Africa after an unsuccessful spell at Egyptian and African giants Al Ahly, levelled from a tight angle before half-time.
Guinea-Bissau star Toni Silva put Sundowns ahead in the first minute of the second half only for Jabulani Ncobeni to equalise almost immediately.
Bongani Ntuli nudged AmaZulu in front on 73 minutes and Sibusiso Vilakazi salvaged a point for the Sundowns four minutes from time.
Amazulu lie eighth and Sundowns ninth after matchday 6, six and seven points respectively behind leaders Wits and Bloemfontein Celtic.
Celtic scored early through Tshegofatso Mabasa to achieve a away 1-0 win over Black Leopards in Thohoyandou, a remote northeastern venue where few visiting clubs secure maximum points.
Promoted Highlands Park ended a run of four consecutive draws since the league season began by edging Golden Arrows 2-1 at home thanks to a Mothobi Mvala brace.