Betway Premiership: Defending champions Sundowns stumble at Siwelele

The hosts struck first through Vincent Pule in the 27th minute. The winger capitalised on a rare mistake from Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, with Tebogo Potsane pouncing on the loose ball before feeding Pule to finish calmly.

It was a deserved breakthrough for Siwelele, who made two changes from their previous outing as Neo Rapoo and Gape Moralo came in for Aphiwe Baliti and Relebogile Mokhuoane.

Sundowns, who introduced Aubrey Modiba in place of Divine Lunga from their last CAF Champions League match against MC Alger, dominated possession throughout the first half but struggled to turn control into incisive attacking play.

Their evening became more complicated when Grant Kekana picked up an early injury, forcing an unplanned substitution that saw Kegan Johannes brought on.

Despite monopolising the ball after the interval, Sundowns continued to find Siwelele's deep defensive block difficult to break down.

The hosts frequently sat pinned in their own half but remained organised, limiting Masandawana to half-chances.

The pressure eventually told in the 74th minute when tidy combination play around the box opened space for Lebo Mothiba to fire home the equaliser. It gave Sundowns renewed energy, yet they still could not carve out a decisive second goal.

Siwelele, meanwhile, held firm in the closing stages, ensuring the match ended level. For Sundowns, it was another frustrating outing in which dominance in possession failed to translate into victory.