Mamelodi Sundowns moved five points clear at the top of the Absa Premiership standings after playing out to a 0-0 draw with Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
The Glamour got off to a better start and produced the first opportunity of the match in the eighth minute as Ryan Moon played a ball through to Dumisani Zuma, but the forward was unable to beat Denis Onyango with his header.
Zuma could’ve handed Amakhosi the lead after 21 minutes as he unleashed a powerful effort from distance, but Onyango was on hand to deny the forward in the final third.
Onyango came to his side’s rescue when the Sundowns goalkeeper produced a fine save to keep out Bangaly Soumahoro’s effort after latching on to a cross from Siphiwe Tshabalala.
Sundowns should’ve taken the lead in the 37th minute through Percy Tau, but the forward failed to direct his header past Itumeleng Khune, who produced an easy save.
The game went into the half time interval with the scoreline locked at 0-0.
Pitso Mosimane opted to make his first substitution of the game when he replaced Sibusiso Vilakazi for Jeremy Brockie in the 55th minute, while Steve Komphela introduced striker Leonardo Castro after 63 minutes.
The Amakhosi mentor made his second substitute five minutes later when he brought on Gustavo Paez for Siphiwe Tshabalala.
Brockie should’ve broken the deadlock after 70 minutes, but the New Zealand forward failed to make any contact on Oupa Manyisa’s delivery as the ball sailed across the face of the goal.
Komphela then introduced Siphelele Ntshangase on for Zuma while Mosimane brought Gaston Sirino on for Billiat.
The Brazilians came close to scoring in the 78th minute when Tau blazed his effort against the post before Brockie fired his strike against the woodwork on the rebound.
Willard Katsande had a golden opportunity to seal the win in the dying minutes of the game, but the Amakhosi midfielder steered his header over the target from a resulting corner.
However, neither side could find the winning goal in the closing stages of the game as the match ended 0-0 at the FNB Stadium.
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
