Mamelodi Sundowns and Chippa United were forced to share the spoils after playing out to a goalless draw at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday morning.

The match got off to a good start, with both sides looking to get on the front foot in the opening exchanges of the match.

Sundowns had the first opportunity of the match in the 50th minute, when Yannick Zakri turned inside before making his way into the Chippa area and then unleashing a strike at goal, but his shot sailed wide of the target.

Two minutes later, Sundowns were awarded a free-kick outside the area and Hlompho Kekana did well to perfectly float the ball into the six-yard area. Zakri came close to latching on to the ball, but Chippa was on hand scramble the ball to safety.

The Brazilians had another opportunity at goal in the 63rd minute of the match when Thapelo Morena sent a cross into the area for  Sibusiso Vilakazi to chase, but Daniel Akpeyi came off his line bravely to collect the cross before clashing with the oncoming midfielder.

Chippa came close to capitalising on their first chance of the match in the 70th, when Menzi Masuku danced his way into the area before Morena came in to make a crucial challenge to deny the midfielder an effort at goal.

Pitso Mosimane used all three his substitutions when he brought on Leonardo Castro, Teko Modise and Asavela Mbekile for Themba Zwane, Zakri and Vilakazi.

Sundowns came close to opening their scoring in the 78th minute, when Castro unleashed a low shot from an acute angle, but Akpeyi was on hand to deny the Colombian striker to keep the scoreline goalless.

Two minutes later and the Chilli Boys responded when Diamond Thopola produced a powerful strike at goal from range, but Sundowns goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands came in to make the block.

In the 82nd minute, substitute Modise made his way down the field before firing a shot at goal from 30 yards out, but his effort narrowly missed the top corner.

Four minutes later and Castro went down in the area after a challenge from Kristopher Bergman, but the referee saw nothing in it and pointed for a goal-kick.

Dan Malesela opted to make his second change when he brought Mpho Mvelase on to replace Lerato Manzini.

However, neither side could find the all important goal to win the match, as both sides shared a point each at Loftus Stadium.

Image: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix