Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 0-0 draw by Chippa United in their Absa Premiership encounter on Saturday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.

The Chilli Boys went into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw with Free State Stars, while Sundowns defeated Bidvest Wits 2-0 in their previous league encounters.

Chippa started the brighter of the two teams and signalled their intent to attack from the offset, with Mpho Mvelase proving a handful for Tebogo Langerman.

The home side came agonisingly close to opening the scoring in the 11th minute when Abel Mabaso struck the upright after a great dinked ball into the area by Kurt Lentjies.

The encounter was played at a frantic pace with a tight midfield battle ensuing, which made for little in the way of opportunities.

Neither side were able to get into their usual passing rhythm properly, largely due to each other’s high defensive lines.

Sundowns should have opened the scoring moments before half-time when Sibusiso Vilakazi’s defence-splitting pass found Percy Tau in a one-on-one scenario, but the forward’s first touch let him down.

The two sides went into the half-time break deadlocked at 0-0.

Sundowns started the second half the brighter of the two teams, but were let down by wasteful finishing in the area by the likes of Billiat and Tau.

Chippa made the first change of the game as Katlego Mashego was introduced for Moekesti Sekola in the 55th minute, while Samuel Julies came on for Lentjies in the 61st minute.

Paseka Mako made good use of a Sundowns mistake when he got in between Denis Onyango and Bangalay Soumahouro and almost slotted home, but his shot flew inches wide of the target.

The home side were forced into their final substitution when goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi had to leave through injury and was replaced by Brighton Mhlongo.

Chippa broke with pace through a counter-attack in the 70th minute, and should have opened the scoring when Mashego unselfishly teed up Mvelase, who failed to get a touch with the goalkeeper well beaten.

Sundowns opted for late substitutions in Anthony Laffor and Themba Zwane for Vilakazi and Kekana respectively.

The Chilli Boys dominated possession stakes, as well as chances created in the final exchanges, however they were unable to make it count as the two sides played to a 0-0 draw.

Photo: Deryck Foster/Backpagepix