Sundowns keep their faint title hopes alive

The title race nearly died. Well, at least from a Mamelodi Sundowns perspective.

Sundowns (1) 2

Ajax (0) 1

Yet another draw for the defending Absa Premiership champions against struggling Ajax Cape Town would have been catastrophic, but midfield maestro Teko Modise helped navigate a way to victory with a late winner in the 84th minute.

Sundowns have finished 2014 on a high, keeping up with log leaders Kaizer Chiefs. Perhaps coach Pitso Mosimane's men can pick up where they left off. But their return in February after next month's Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea will have to be much improved.

The odds are heavily stacked against that sort of an incredible run, though, especially given the Brazilians' lethargy last night. The tense atmosphere gave away the fact that the fans, with the club management, now believe catching Chiefs will be an enormous task.

But there's hope even though the season is past the halfway mark.

Downs, with a game in hand, came into this clash trailing table-topping Chiefs by 15 points. The win has given them a slim chance.

It was an encouraging start for Sundowns and the opening goal came in the 25th minute through skipper and defender Alje Schut.

That sparked a spirited performance until a nasty incident involving Ajax goalkeeper Brandon Petersen and Downs striker Anthony Laffor. The two collided and the medical teams spent at least 10 minutes trying to stabilise each man's injuries.

Petersen's leg was broken but Laffor got off more lightly, although he still had to be replaced. The mood was dampened, with Sundowns failing to keep up the tempo and allowing Ajax back into the match.

The Urban Warriors equalised in the 54th minute through Tashreeq Morris, who benefited from a defensive error from Schut and company after Franklin Cale's cross and swung the ball in with precision.

Sundowns had many chances to take the lead, but failed to do so. The main culprits were Modise, who later scored, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Khama Billiat and Cuthbert Malajila. Referee Robert Smith also had a shocker.