Mamelodi Sundowns dropped points for the second successive game in the DStv Premiership after being held to a goalless draw by Polokwane City.
DStv Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 0-0 Polokwane City
Date: 30 December 2023
Venue: Loftus Versfeld
Sundowns made wholesale changes from their draw against Cape Town City, as they brought back their regulars, the likes of Themba Zwane, Marcelo Allende, Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba.
The Brazilians were patient on the ball in the early exchanges and had their first opening on 12 minutes after Zwane appeared to be through on goal but he lost his one-on-one battle with centre-back Langelihle Ndlovu.
City did not allow Sundowns spaces in and around their box, as they hurried them on the ball in the dangerous areas, with the likes of Peter Shalulile and Lucas Ribeiro Costa tightly marked.
Rise and Shine carried a threat going forward, as they had their moments but Sundowns were organized defensively and also did not give away spaces around the box.
Polokwane dropped deep and in numbers in the latter phase of the first stanza and on the stroke of half-time Grant Kekana tried a long range strike that sailed over the crossbar, as the sides went to the half-time break deadlocked.
Rulani Mokwena's charges increased their tempo coming from the break but City almost broke the deadlock from a counter-attack just before the hour-mark after substitute Tlou Nkwe's shot in the box was smothered by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
The hosts had a chance to break the deadlock moments later from a free-kick just outside the box but Mokoena's well struck effort was brilliantly saved by shot-stopper Manuel Sapunga.
Masandawana gained momentum and Shalulile eventually found the back of the net 20 minutes before time after a through ball by Zwane but the goal was belatedly disallowed for a foul in the build-up after consultation with the assistant referee.
City put up a good fight defensively and with ten minutes remaining, Mokwena made an attacking and tactical change, as Gaston Sirino replaced Modiba.
With the game on the edge, in Polokwane's half, late substitute Bathusi Aubaas almost snatched the winner for the Brazilians in the last minute with a low powerful drive from range that was saved at full stretch by Sapunga.
Sundowns extended their lead at the top of the table to six points with three games in hand.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: 30. Williams, 25. Mudau, 17. Modiba, 20. Kekana, 40. Coetzee, 4. Mokoena, 11. Allende, 33. Maseko, 18. Zwane, 23. Ribeiro, 38. Shalulile
Subs: 1. D. Onyango, 34. Mvala, 14. Mashego, 27. Morena, 21. Mkhulise, 19. Aubaas, 31. Nkosi, 10. Sirino, 7. Nku
Polokwane City: 1. Sapunga, 2. Matuludi, 33. Ndlovu, 4. Nikani, 34. Nkaki, 21. Kambala, 17. Mashikinya, 6. Van Heerden, 13. Nana, 19. Mapfumo, 7. Ramabu.
Subs: 40. Mathebula, 14. Maphangule, 5. Baloyi, 9. Chauke, 10. Marema, 3. Nkwe, 35. Baloyi, 31. Thuto, 15. Raphadu
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