Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a goalless stalemate by hosts Bloemfontein Celtic in an Absa Premiership clash at Dr Molemela Stadium on Wednesday.

The Brazilians hit the woodwork and had a potentially legitimate goal ruled out, though Phunya Sele Sele will feel a draw was a fair result as they also missed some great scoring opportunities.

Sundowns were inches away from claiming the lead as early as the 10th minute, with a volleyed cross from Phakamani Mahlambi picking out Tony Silva, who saw his headed attempt strike the crossbar.

Midway through the first half Celtic forced ‘Downs goalkeeper Denis Onyango into two sharp saves – first he kept out a strike at his near post from Ndumiso Mabena, before catching a well-struck drive from outside the box by Lantshene Phalane.

The only other notable attacking moment in the remainder of the first half was a free kick attempt from Mahlambi which he put high and wide of the mark, leaving the game goalless at the interval.

Both sides looked to shuffled their pack in attack within the opening 20 minutes of the second half, as Celtic introduced Tebogo Potsane and Sundowns threw on Gaston Sirino.

Ironically it was a defender who then had the best chance of the match to that point, with Lorenzo Gordinho getting on the end of a free kick delivery in the 69th minute, but his header from point-blank range was palmed over the bar by Onyango.

Four minutes later Phunya Sele Sele carved Sundowns’ defence open on a swift counter attack and Potsane, running from the right wing, was put clean through to face Onyango, but from a tricky angle he stabbed his shot wide of the mark.

The Brazilians thought they had opened the scoring on 82 minutes when Motjeka Madisha turned the ball home close range after Patrick Tignyemb failed to hold onto a low cross, but the goal was controversially ruled out for an offside.

That proved to be the last major talking point of the game, with the full time whistle signalling a share of the spoils.

The teams will be in Absa Premiership action again this weekend, with Celtic away to Free State Stars on Saturday for a derby, while Sundowns host title rivals Bidvest Wits on Sundowns.

Bloemfontein Celtic 0
Mamelodi Sundowns 0

Celtic: Tignyemb, De Jongh, Sam, Gordinho, Pfumbidzai, Masuku, Phalane, Mashikinya, Dlamini (Letsoalo 71’), Mabaso (Potsane 58’), Mabena

Sundowns: Onyango, Morena, Madisha, Nascimento, Langerman, Kekana, Jali (Zwane 82’), Maboe, Vilakazi, Silva (Ali Meza 78’), Mahlambi (Sirino 66’)

Bloemfontein Celtic will look to bounce back from Absa Premiership defeat when they host champions Mamelodi Sundowns at Dr Molemela Stadium on 3 October 2018, kick-off at 19h30.

Celtic suffered their first loss of the 2018/19 season when they were beaten 1-0 at home by Maritzburg United on September 23. The result denied the Bloemfontein side the chance to come into this round at the top of the standings.

Phunya Sele Sele have claimed two wins from their three previous home matches, with the loss to Maritzburg preceded by wins over Chippa United and Orlando Pirates.

Sundowns continued their unbeaten start to the league season when they won 1-0 away to Golden Arrows on September 19, with Lebohang Maboe scoring the only goal. The Tshwane side has recorded two wins and three draws from five outings so far.

The Brazilians’ three away games in the campaign have brought them a haul of seven points from a possible nine. This will be their third straight league match on the road.

In head-to-head stats, Sundowns and Celtic have met in 60 league matches since 1985. The Brazilians have claimed 30 wins compared to 13 for Phunya Sele Sele, while 17 matches have been drawn. The Bloemfontein side has claimed seven wins from 30 home matches against the Tshwane giants, suffering 14 defeats in the process.

Last season ‘Downs took four points off Celtic, handing the Bloemfontein side a 4-1 beating in Tshwane in the first half of the campaign, before the return game in the final round of league fixtures ended in a goalless stalemate. Celtic have not won at home against the Brazilians since the 2005/06 season.

Celtic’s line-up from their 1-0 loss to Maritzburg on September 23: Tignyemb, Rikhotso, Gordinho, Ndengane, Sam, Masuku (Potsane 51’), Phalane, Mashikinya, Dlamini (Letsoalo 68’), Mabena, Mabaso (Pfumbidzai 77’).

Sundowns’ line-up from their 1-0 win over Arrows on September 19: Pieterse, Morena, Madisha, Nascimento, Langerman, Kekana (Lakay 85'), Jali, Maboe, Vilakazi, Silva (Meza 70'), Mahlambi (Mabunda 61').