10-Man Mamelodi Sundowns were left frustrated after playing to a 0-0 draw against Highlands Park in their Absa Premiership clash at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday evening, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
Pitso Mosimane handed Jeremy Brockie the chance to recover his form upfront after Masandawana were handed a 1-0 Caf Champions League defeat by Wydad Casablanca last Friday.
Meanwhile, Lindokuhle Mbatha returned to the starting XI for the Lions of the North after missing their 2-2 draw with Black Leopards in their second league encounter.
The Brazilians started the game on the front foot with Brockie going down in the area looking for a penalty, but the referee waved play on in the opening exchanges of the match.
The Lions of the North defended well to keep Sundowns after 15 minutes of play. However, Masandawana remained in control of the game but were struggling to find space in which to play their usual game.
The first chance for Sundowns came after 19 minutes when Hlompho Kekana tired his trademark strike, but the skipper failed to get the right height on his effort.
Brockie had a chance to hand the home side the lead four minutes later, but the New Zealand striker scuffed his strike at goal.
The home side should have broken the deadlock in the 35th minute when Gaston Sirino sent an inviting ball towards the far post, but Brockie was unable to slot the ball home.
Sundowns should’ve taken the lead four minutes before the break when Jose Ali Meza directed the ball to Sibusiso Vilakazi, who then played the ball through to Brokie, but the striker was unable to get his shot away as he lost the ball into his feet.
The game went into the half time interval with the scoreline locked at 0-0.
The Brazilians were reduced to 10-men early on in the second half after Ricardo Nascimento received a straight red card. The Sundowns defender would’ve picked up a yellow card for a foul, but his reaction convinced referee Phelelani Ndaba to give him his marching orders.
Mosimane responded immediately by introducing Motjeka Madisha on for goal-shy Brockie.
Sundowns dominated proceedings as the game went on but were finding it hard to break down the Highlands defence.
Wayne Arendse nearly handed Sundowns the lead in the 72nd minute, but the lanky defender’s header was superbly cleared off the line by Junior Sibande.
Mosimane introduced the likes of Toni Silva and Lyle Lakay in the closing stages of the game, but the Lions of the North managed to hold on until the final whistle to secure a point against the defending champions.
Mamelodi Sundowns starting XI:
Onyango, Ngcongca, Arendse, Nascimento, Langerman, Kekana (C), Vilakazi, Zwane, Sirino, Meza, Brockie. SUBS: Pieterse, Mkhulise, Silva, Lakay, Maboe, Madisha, Jali.
Highlands Park starting XI:
Kapini, Sibande, Motsepe, Mokoena, Haoseb, Mvala, Mbatha, Mahlangu, Rae, Nyembe, Mofokeng. SUBS: Heugh, Fransman, Ngebo, Motlafi, Mbunjana, Versuur, Msimango.
Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
