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Sundowns, AmaZulu cancel each other out in goalless draw

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Mamelodi Sundowns remain unbeaten after a tight 0-0 draw with a high-flying AmaZulu on Wednesday afternoon.

Sundowns came into the game looking to bounce back from their Nedbank Cup defeat by TTM this past Sunday by extending their 20-match unbeaten record.

Similarly, AmaZulu arrived hoping to continue an impressive run of 12 games without defeat. Added to that, they were looking to close the gap at the top of the league where they trail the Brazilians by six points, with Downs having two games in hand.

Sundowns looked to dominate the early stages through possession of the ball, but Ushutu clearly posed a threat on the counter.

The first chance of the game fell to Sundowns as Peter Shalulile let fly after a clever touch off his chest created space in the box, but his rushed shot flew wide with 25 minutes gone.

Themba Zwane then had another chance to take the lead for the visitors with eight minutes left of the first stanza, after beating the offside trap with a through-ball over the top but he took a heavy touch which shotstopper Veli Mothwa smothered.

AmaZulu finally created an opening of their own as Qalinge went close by Benni just before the break after bursting inside the box, although the winger’s effort sailed over the crossbar.

With no changes ahead of the second half, Sundowns looked to go in front through Themba Zwane off a ball from Morena but goalkeeper Veli Mothwa smothered the attempt.

Further threats from the reigning league champions followed nine minutes after the break with a counter-attack involving Gaston Sirino, Shalulile and Zwane, but Mothwa was quick to snuff out the danger.

AmaZulu looked to force themselves on to Downs and had a glorious chance of their own as a header from Tapelo Xoki, following a corner, flew just over.

Mothwa was again called into action in the closing 15 minutes as Gift Motupa forced him into another quality save.

Sundowns still battled away as did Usuthu in the closing minutes, but the match finished goalless leaving the former unbetaen atop the table and the latter in second spot.