Mamelodi Sundowns were left frustrated after playing out to a goalless draw with Baroka at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in the Absa Premiership on Wednesday, reports DYLAN APPOLIS.

Wedson Nyirenda’s men came into this encounter on a five-match losing streak across all competitions following their defeat by SuperSport United in the Telkom Knockout Cup over the weekend.

Pitso Mosimane’s side, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat in the league after falling 2-0 to Kaizer Chiefs two weeks ago.

Sundowns were missing Gaston Sirino, Themba Zwane and Phakamani Mahlambi, who were unavailable while recovering from their respective injuries.

The Brazilians got off to a good start as Jose Ali Meza made a blistering run down the flank before cutting back and tried to play one in but Baroka cleared the danger.

Tshidiso Patjie has a great chance to hand Bakgaga the lead in the 12th minute but Denis Onyango made an excellent save to deny the winger in a one-on-one situation.

At the other end, Elvis Chipezeze came to his side’s rescue three minutes later when he made a good save to keep out Sibusiso Vilakazi’s snapshot from the edge of the box.

Tebogo Langerman had a good chance to break the deadlock in the 16th minute, but the Sundowns left back fired his effort inches wide of target from just outside the area.

The Brazilians pressed forward in search of an opening goal but struggled to carve out any clear-cut chances as the game went into the break.

Sundowns picked up where they left off in the first half as captain Hlompho Kekana fired an effort from the edge of the area, but saw his strike sail over the target.

Mosimane made his first change of the game when he introduced Mauricio Affonso to replace Meza.

Morena looked promising down the flank inside the 62nd minute when he beat his marker to make room for a shot but the attacker was ultimately dispossessed of the ball.

Mosimane made his second change when Vilakazi was substituted for Sphelele Mkhusile before Andile Jali came on for Kekana two minutes later.

Chipezeze was lucky not to concede a goal in the 77th minute after the ball fumbled in mid-air but Affonso failed to capitalise on the error.

Baroka were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when Matome Kgoetyane was shown a red card after a horrible tackle on Langerman.

Neither side could find the winning goal in the closing stages and the game ended goalless at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.