Mamelodi Sundowns’ early charge towards another Betway Premiership title suffered a setback on Saturday evening after they were held to a dramatic 1-1 draw by unfancied Chippa United at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
The Brazilians went into the encounter looking for maximum points that would have strengthened their position at the summit and opened a nine-point gap over second-placed Orlando Pirates.
However, Sundowns could only manage a single point, taking their tally to 20 points from eight matches. They remain at the top of the standings, but their advantage over Pirates is now eight points, with the Soweto giants having played three matches fewer.
For the Chilli Boys, the hard-earned draw continued their remarkable run of avoiding defeat. It was their fifth draw in six league matches, leaving them 12th on the log with five points.
The visitors have now suffered only one defeat in their opening six matches, although their inability to turn draws into victories continues to cost them valuable points.
The match appeared destined to end in a goalless stalemate, with neither side able to find the breakthrough during regulation time.
But Chippa refused to leave Pretoria empty-handed and stunned the home crowd in the 78th minute when Sirino Kammies found the back of the net to put the visitors 1-0 ahead.
Sundowns were suddenly staring at an embarrassing home defeat as Chippa held firm and appeared set to secure one of the biggest results of the weekend.
The Chilli Boys survived the regulation 90 minutes with their lead intact, but their resistance finally crumbled deep into stoppage time.
With the clock ticking into the ninth minute of added time, Antonio Van Wyk produced a dramatic rescue act for the defending champions, calmly slotting the ball home to level the score and spare Sundowns from a damaging defeat.
The late equaliser ensured that Sundowns remained unbeaten, but the dropped points could prove costly in what is expected to be another fiercely contested title race.
For Chippa, meanwhile, the point will feel like a victory after coming within seconds of pulling off a famous away win against the league leaders.