Makhanya rescues point for Swallows

Joseph Makhanya created the first goal and scored the second as Moroka Swallows held leaders Mamelodi Sundowns 2-2 today in the South African Premiership. The former Orlando Pirates midfielder crossed low for Bennett Chenene to tap the ball over the line midway through the opening period at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto. An unmarked Makhanya side-footed the ball past Wayne Sandilands to equalise on 58 minutes after Sundowns had taken the lead through goals from Zimbabwean Nyasha Mushekwi and Teko Modise. Mushekwi headed past Nigerian goalkeeper Greg Etafia on the stroke of half-time and Modise placed the ball into the corner of the net from just inside the penalty area a minute before Makhanya levelled. "Sloppy defending cost us victory in a match where we had more scoring chances," said Sundowns coach Johan Neeskens, a star of the Dutch team beaten in the 1974 and 1978 World Cup finals. Swallows coach Gordon Igesund countered: "It was a fantastic match between teams committed to attacking football and a draw was a fair reflection of a tough, end-to-end struggle." The draw took Sundowns four points clear of closest challengers SuperSport United and Kaizer Chiefs, who are both in action Saturday, and six in front of defending champions Orlando Pirates.