ANDREW MUCHINERIPI, Johannesburg | Monday 10.00am.
IT IS tighter than a rush-hour Bree Street taxi queue at the top of the Castle Premiership standings with just one point separating the first 10 clubs.
Defending champions Sundowns lead Free State Stars on goal difference and there are eight clubs one point behind, including mighty Kaizer Chiefs and minnows Classic.
The big matches of the weekend attracted encouraging crowds and ended in draws with Sundowns snatching a fortunate late equaliser to finish 1-1 with Chiefs while Wits and Orlando Pirates fought to a 0-0 stalemate.
About 50,000 fans flocked to Ellis Park on a cool evening to see if the former Amakhosi coaching partnership of Paul Dolezar and Neil Tovey could maintain their 100 percent league record with Sundowns.
Although the Brazilians had plenty of possession during the first half it was Chiefs who went ahead after 27 minutes when slick passing set Frank Makua free inside the penalty area and he gave John Tlale no chance.
Sundowns lacked punch in attack without the departed Raphael Chukwu and suspended Daniel Mudau so it came as no surprise that Jacob Tshisevhe had to concede an own goal to get them on level terms.
Goalkeeper Brian Baloyi, who struggled everytime Sundowns produced a quality cross, failed to hold a stinging drive from substitute Charles Motlohi and an attempted clearance by the recalled Tshisevhe flew into the net.
A series of brilliant saves from veteran Wits goalkeeper Roger de Sa earned his team a point at packed Milpark Stadium that they deserved because of their commitment and discipline against territorially-advantaged Pirates.
There was little for Ajax Cape Town to celebrate following a home debut at Newlands rugby stadium that ended in a shock 2-1 loss to Bloemfontein Celtic, who came from behind to win through a couple of Willem Vries goals.
At least Ajax have three points – three more than Umtata-based Bush Bucks, who spent the weekend in Cape Town and lost by 4-1 margins to Mother City and impressive Hellenic.