Sekhukhune United reclaimed third spot on the Betway Premiership table after rescuing a 1-1 draw against Magesi FC on Saturday evening.
Captain Linda Mntambo and Vuyo Letlapa came in as Sekhukhune’s two changes from the win over Orlando Pirates, while Tlou Masegela was the single alteration for Dikwena Tsa Meetse.
Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Ntsako Makhubela came on for the host after eleven minutes to replace the injured Kayden Rademeyer.
The situation didn’t unsettle Magesi's rhythm, as they still went ahead three minutes later when fulll-back Delano Abrahams finished off from the right of the six-yard box.
Sekhukhune struggled to get settled after the tough start, but came alive towards halftime and had Thabang Monare worked Elvis Chipezeze to a save with a promising header.
Dikwena looked for a second on the stroke of halftime through a close-range attempt by Masegela following John Mokone’s cross, but he fluffed his lines.
Monare didn’t come out for the second half and was removed for another ex-Pirates player in Lesedi Kapinga as the club looked to wrestle the game from Dikwena.
The tempo were rather slow as the second stanza commenced, though the intent from either side didn’t lack structure or mileage.
Duo Tresor Yamba and Keletso Makgalwa whose corner-kick routines were vital against Pirates looked to haunt Dikwena too, but didn’t succeed on this occasion.
Babina Noko continued probing and levelled inside the final ten minutes through a smart finish from the centre of the area by Chibuike Ohizu.
Yamba went close again with a header from a cross this time by Vusimuzi Mncube two minutes later, but it was too high.
Magesi didn’t push a lot of numbers as the minutes ticked, seeing the encounter to a share of the spoils in the end.
Confirmed line-ups:
Magesi FC: Chipezeze, Mokone, Masgela, Makgoga, Mtshali, Buthelezi, Mokone, Abrahams, Rademeyer, Darpoh, Sibanyoni
Subs: Tshabalala, Matima, Manzini, Baloyi, Kakora, Makhubla, Mekoa, Chirambadare, Malesea
Sekhukhune United: Leaner, Cardoso, Letlapa, Rammala, Tshibwabwa, Mkhize, Monare, Mogaila, Mntambo, Makgalwa, Ohizu
Subs: Sangare, Ngcobo, Mokoena, Mncube, Shezi, Kapinga, Tlaka, Sihlali, Boyeli