The 2019/2020 Premier Soccer League season is turning out to be the most exciting in recent years after joint leaders Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns failed to win their matchday 28 games, leaving both teams tied on points with two games left.
At the FNB Stadium in Soweto, Bidvest Wits’ Cameroonian international Bienvenu Eva Nga scored a shock goal deep into stoppage time to stun league leaders Chiefs 1-0 and dent their title hopes.
Wits fashioned the first chance just two minutes into the encounter when Thulani Hlatshwayo headed inches wide of goal from Deon Hotto’s free-kick. Chiefs responded minutes later with goalkeeper Ricardo Goss forced into a great save to deny Samir Nurkovic.
The action was even with both teams presented with chances however, Amakhosi were dealt a major blow on the stroke of half time after goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi had to be strechered off the pitch. The Nigerian international suffered a serious looking injury after his head collided with the knee of Mxolisi Macuphu as he fisted away a cross.
Chiefs came out with renewed vigour in the second half creating chance after chance but failing to convert. Reeve Frosler fired just wide in the 79th minute while Wits keeper Goss showed great awareness four minutes later to keep Lorenzo Gordinho’s attempted clearance from finding the back of his own net. Then in the 90th minute Serbian striker Samir Nurkovic shockingly failed to hit the target from just three yards out after ghosting in unchallenged at the back post.
Amakhosi were made to pay a harsh price for all the spurned chances in the 94th minute as Eva Nga burst forward, latching onto Keegan Ritchie’s long ball before firing past the onrushing Bruce Bvuma who had replaced Akpeyi to seal all three points for the Clever Boys completely against the run of play.
Later on the same day, Mamelodi Sundowns failed to capitalize of their rival’s misfortune after they suffered a 1-0 loss to Baroka FC at Dobsonville Stadium.
Ananias Gebhardt headed home a corner to hand the Limpopo outfit all three points as they moved to 13th spot on the log with 28 points from 28 matches. Despite dominating posession and fashioning out the greater number of chances, Sundowns were unable to respond.
Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele on their part had 28 year old goalkeeper Ayanda Dlamini to thank as he pulled off save after save to earn them the win. Dlamini is the replacement for captain Elvis Chipezeze who was suspended for the encounter. The visitors time wasting antics left Sundowns and their coach Pitso Mosimane badly frustrated in their quest to find a goal to overhaul Kazer Chiefs at the top.
Both teams will get another chance to break the stalemate on Wednesday with Chiefs entertaining Chippa United while Sundowns will be guests of Polokwane City.