Orlando Pirates saved by Mabasa! Striker denies Mamelodi Sundowns top spot in PSL race

The Premier Soccer League race yet again took another twist as Mamelodi Sundowns conceded late to share the spoils with Stellenbosch on Wednesday night at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

The defending champions knew maximum points would bring them closer to their ninth consecutive top-tier crown in Mzansi.

Victory was needed by Stellies to continue their push for the MTN8 ticket after their struggle in the early stages of the season.

Furthermore, this was the fourth time the two teams were meeting across all competitions in the ongoing campaign. Masandawana had lost twice – in a two-legged MTN8 semi-final battle, but managed to get teh three points in the initial round of the PSL outing.

Stellies punished by Ntsabeleng

The initial quarter of the game had an interesting interchange between the teams, hoping to get an early goal. But it was the hosts who had more dangerous attacks owing to their quality.

Stellies had the clearest chance to score in the 17th minute when a short back pass by Aubrey Modiba was intercepted by Devin Titus, but Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams pulled a massive save to deny the attacker.

Nevertheless, Modiba made up for his mistake with a pre-assist to Arthur Sales, who teed up Tsiki Ntsabeleng for a classy team goal to cool the nerves of the home supporters.

Masandawana are a well-oiled machine 🤩👆

Tsiki Ntsabeleng opens the scoring in the capital 📍

📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/1VmTE1VSMH

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 22, 2026

Mabasa saves Pirates!

Kaizer Chiefs product Omega Mdaka had a massive chance to make it 1-1 in the 51st minute when the Masandawana defense was caught napping, but his rocket found the side netting.

Iqraam Rayners had an opportunity to punish his former team in the 54th minute, but his tame effort was easily saved by Sage Stephens. South Africa international Khuliso Mudau’s opportunity to find the back of the net, but his header from close range failed to hit the target.

With five minutes to go, Khulumani Ndamane fouled Chumani Butsaka in the danger zone to leave the officials with no option but to award the visitors a penalty. Despite Ronwen Williams denying Tshegofatso Mabasa from 12 yards, the rebound fell kindly to the on-loan Orlando Pirates man, who made it right to ensure it ended 1-1.

86' – 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟! – Mabasa's penalty is saved, but he's quickest to the rebound to level the scores!

Mamelodi Sundowns 1⃣-1⃣ Stellenbosch FC#HeartoftheCape #MoreThanFootball #StellenboschFC 🍇 pic.twitter.com/Wl8fozw2uc

— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) April 22, 2026

The result leaves Sundowns behind Bucs, who have 58 points, one more than the Brazilians, but with a game in hand.