Free State Stars, after looking the worse of the two teams, managed to salvage a point in their Absa Premiership match against Mamelodi Sundowns at Goble Park on Saturday afternoon.

After going a goal up in the first half and then going a goal behind in the second half, Sipho Nkosi was the man to find the equaliser for Stars 12 minutes from time.

The 'Brazilians' certainly didn't look like the visiting team in the opening periods of the match as they quickly to a stranglehold of the game, dictating terms in the midfield.

Stars, on the other hand, look a little lacklustre and struggled to get hold of the ball early on.

The first decent chance of the half came in the 14th minute when Katlego Mphela let loose with a thunderbolt of an effort from about 25 yards out. Kennedy Mweene, however, was on hand for Free State punching the stinging shot clear of danger.

Then a minute later, and against the run of play, 'Ea Lla Koto' took the lead after a clinical counter-attack saw Aleni Lebyane find the back of the net for the home team.

A mistake in the midfield saw Matty Pattison gift possession to Free State with a poor pass. Consequently Stars did not hesitate to go on the counterattack and quickly played the ball to the left wing where Kleinbooi Taaibos provided an inch perfect cross for Lebyane to slot home from only six yards out,1-0.

The goal, although a set-back, did not disrupt Sundowns’ rhythm as they continued to press forward in attack. But despite dominating the game in the first 45 minutes they could not really create any decent opportunities in front of goal.

Mphela, however, did come close with a 20 yard free-kick in the 19th minute. The Brazilians striker came agonisingly close with his attempt as the ball curled round the defensive wall, but not enough to sneak inside the post just shaving the wrong side of the upright.

In fact Stars came the closest to the game’s second goal in the 38th minute, when again they hit on the counter-attack. This time Lebyane was the supplier with an accurate through ball for Kingston Nkatha to run onto. Nkatha only had the keeper to beat, but Brian Baloyi was in no mood to concede again producing a fantastic save, spreading himself well to deny the striker.

The second 45 minutes produced one of the most exciting halves of the season as one witnessed three goals and two minor comebacks.

The pattern of the game did not change much from that of the first as the Brazilians pushed forward in attack and Stars tried to play on the counter. But unlike the first half Sundowns were able to capitalise on their dominance going from a goal down to a goal in front within two minutes.

First, in the 57th minute Mphela was on hand to head home a Koketso Mmotong cross from the right wing scoring his 12th league goal of the campaign. The Sundowns striker did well to find some space inside the box before producing a clinical finish with his head to draw his side level, 1-1.

Then only two minutes later and the Tshwane side were in front. This time Mphela was the supplier, whipping in a corner-kick from the right as Siyanda Xulu rose above the Stars defence to powerfully head the ball home from about 12 yards out, 1-2.

Thereafter, Stars seemed to drop their heads as Sundowns continued to pile on the pressure. It seemed only a matter of time before 'Ea Lla Koto' conceded again.

But in some kind of mini-miracle, once again against the run of play, Stars were able to find an equaliser in the 78th minute. Free State knocked a hopeful free-kick into the box from the right side of the field and Sipho Nkosi was there like a shining star to head his side level. The Sundowns defence seemed to go to sleep as Nkosi rose uncontested to head home for his side, 2-2.

That is the way the game ended as the side’s shared the points, a result many would not have expected half-way through the first half.

The teams:

Free State Stars: Mweene; Mashego (Thomo 72), Carelse, Mensah, Mdluli; Lechesa, Moholo, Gcaba (Makola 61), Taaibos; Lebyane, Nkatha (Nkosi 53).

Mamelodi Sundowns: Baloyi; Mere, Xulu, Mungomeni, Mdledle; Pelembe, Nyandoro, Pattison (Vilakazi 81), Mokoena (Mmotong 46); Mphela, Khenyeza (Ngubane 77).

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