Mamelodi Sundowns Coach Mngqithi and Kaizer Chiefs Counterpart Zwane React to Reyaad Pieterse Penalty Save

Mamelodi Sundowns Coach Mngqithi and Kaizer Chiefs Counterpart Zwane React to Reyaad Pieterse Penalty Save

Keba Mothoagae
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:01 PM
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  • Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse was the hero as he saved a penalty at the end of the DStv Premiership match against Kaizer Chiefs
  • Pieterse dove spectacular to his left to keep out Keagan Dolly's fiercely struck spot-kick after Kgaogelo Sekgota was brought down in the box
  • His coach Manqoba Mngqithi claimed that the coaching staff was confident that he would make the save

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse provided arguably the best highlight of last night's entertaining DStv Premiership match against Kaizer Chiefs at Soccer City.

The Amakhosi were awarded an 83rd-minute penalty after Kgaogelo Sekgota was fouled in the penalty area by Mosa Lebusa with the scores level at 1-1. Keagan Dolly unleashed a lightning bolt from the spot, but Pieterse dove to his left reflexively to save the kick, before getting up quickly to gobble up the headed rebound by Dolly.

The save proved to be consequential, as the match did end up in a draw. It did not affect champions Sundowns in any way, but Chiefs remained stuck in fourth place on 43 points, leaving their continental football aspirations for next season hanging by a thread.

According to Soccer Laduma, Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mgqithi said in the post-match interview:

"It was nice for people to know that Reyaad is very good on penalties because we were very confident as a team that he was going to save that penalty. But I feel we also deserved to get one as well so we can see whether [Bruce] Bvuma was going to be able to save that one."

Chiefs interim coach Arthur Zwane rued the missed spot kick by Dolly, saying:

"I think maybe had Keagan scored the penalty it would have been a different story, ja but those things do happen in football where you get opportunities but you don't take them. It's one of those things, that's football, you create goal-scoring opportunities you have to bury them, if you don't take them yes you pay at the end of the day."

Kaizer Chiefs and champions Mamelodi Sundowns serve up entertaining DStv Premiership encounter at Soccer City

Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in the DStv Premiership encounter at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Sunday evening.

As reported by Sports Brief, man-of-the-match Aubrey Modiba opened the scoring for the visitors in the 49th minute.

Phathutshedzo Nange equalised for the hosts in the 76th minute in what was a frantic match of football.

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