On Sunday, Cape Town City and Mamelodi Sundowns drew 0-0 in a physical, tightly contested DStv Premiership match at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
Despite dominating proceedings for much of the game under Eric Tinkler’s coaching, City were unable to find a winner.
Sundowns‘ share of the spoils was only the second time in 13 games this season that they did not win. Sundowns, on the other hand, moved up to 35 points, five ahead of SuperSport United on 29.
It was still a valuable point for City, who now sit in third place with 27 points from 16 games. After 15 games, the Orlando Pirates are fourth with 25 points
City’s Angolan forward Jo Paciencia was a constant threat for Sundowns, as the speedy striker notched up a number of shots on goal, though he was unable to convert any of his three attempts as visiting shot-stopper Ronwen Williams was not called into action.
Within the first ten minutes, City striker Thabo Nodada was shown the first yellow card of the game, followed by Sundowns’ Bongani Zungu shortly before the interval.
Sundowns came into the game fresh off a 1-0 CAF Champions League victory over Pyramids FC in Cairo on Tuesday, and it would be the hosts who dominated proceedings.
After an hour of play, City had nine shots to the champions’ three. The hosts, on the other hand, lacked anything resembling clinical finishing, with only one attempt on goal.
Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena made five substitutions in the final 30 minutes of the game, but it was not enough to prevent his team from earning only their second league draw of the season.
Sundowns are vying for their seventh league title in a row. Before the City game, the Brazilians led second-placed SuperSport United by five points, with three games remaining.
Sundowns’ remaining fixtures this season are against Moroka Swallows (December 27, home) and Sekhukhune United (December 30, home) before the Africa Cup of Nations takes a break in local action until mid-February.
