DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns were held to goalless draw by ten-man Cape Town City on Tuesday night.
Having rested a number of regulars on Saturday, the host had Ronwen Williams, Mothobi Mvala, Themba Zwane and Peter Shalulile back but City weren't able to field Lyle Lakay against his parent club.
Sundowns were a bit on the back-foot a little to five minutes from kick-off and goalkeeper Williams needed to keep guard and thwart a long-range attempt from Khanyisa Mayo.
There was more activity between the sticks for South Africa's number one minutes later where he had to show quick thinking and parry Thato Mokeke's shot from the area off a supply by Mayo.
Masandawana continued to stay tight and had the ball in the net at the midway mark through Shalulile from a move involving Cassius Mailula, but the offside flag went up and the effort was disallowed.
Eric Tinkler's men were up on the attack again on the half-hour mark and saw a curling shot from Darwin Gonzalez acrobatically parried away by Williams, as the first ended all square.
As the Citizens introduced Brice Ambina for Bertrand Mani after halftime, the Brazilians were quick out of the starting blocks and saw Mailula send a low shot from a tight angle wide of the mark.
City battled to find rhythm and were reduced to ten players in the last 15 minutes as Ambina got his marching orders for a foul on Zwane, picking up his second yellow in 13 minutes.
Young Siyabonga Mabena was given a run-out from the bench by the host in the final ten minutes as he replaced Neo Maema with Sphelele Mkhulise introduced too for Marcelo Allende.
Mabena fancied his chances a minute to full-time when he fired over from a narrow angle, but goalless was how it remained with City failing to close the gap on the top-two.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Modiba, Kekana, Mvala, Mokoena, Maema, Allende, Zwane, Shalulile, Mailula
Subs: Pieterse, Boutouil, Mashego, Morena, Mbule, Mkhulise, Mabena, Domingo, Nasir
Cape Town City: Keet, Mkhize, Cupido, Fielies, Van Heerden, Mokeke, Zapata, Nodada, Mayo, Darwin, Mani
Subs: Mpandle, Ambina, Mokuoane, Drammeh, Gordinho, Rhodes, Mdantsane, Goedeman, Daniels
You must be Sign In to read and post comments.
Click here to register: Sign In