Sundowns stutter in front of goal in goalless stalemate

by Brian Lee

Saturday Nov 25, 2017. 17:55

Mamelodi Sundowns stuttered in front of goal as they played to a 0-0 draw against Chippa United in their Absa Premiership match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Brazilians had the lion’s share of possession throughout the match, but they could not convert their dominance into goals and had to settle for the point.

However, despite the draw Sundowns have temporarily moved up to second on the league table with 16 points from nine games, two points behind leaders Baroka who have played 11 games.

The home side started the better of the two teams and had the first shot on goal in the 11th minute when Abel Mabaso’s shot from the edge of the box strike the post before bouncing away from danger.

Sundowns’ first reals scoring chance came ten minutes later when Percy Tau curled a 24-yard free-kick inches over the target.

The next decent scoring opportunity only came in the 29th minute when Tiyani Mabunda drove forward from the midfield before unleashing a 30-yard thunderbolt which deflected just wide of the Maritzburg goal.

The half ended all-square.

The Brazilians continued to dictate matters at the start of the second half with Mabunda shooting narrowly wide of the target five minutes into the stanza.

Chippa, though, were not to be outdone and came close to scoring in the 54th minute when Paseka Mako broke through on goal, but he was superbly denied in a one-on-one with Denis Onyango.

In the 68th minute Chippa suffered a bit of a set-back when goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi had to leave the field injured and was replace by Brighton Mhlongo.

There was a large delay to the match as Akpeyi was stretchered off and that seemed to kill the mood of the game.

Both teams struggled to create any significant chances on goal after that and the match ended all-square as a result.

The draw for Chippa also moves them up the table temporarily as they occupy fifth spot after 12 games played on 16 points as well, but an inferior goal difference to Sundowns.

Chippa United (0) 0
Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 0

Teams

Chippa: Akpeyi (Mhlongo 68’), Macheke, Okwuosa, Konqobe, Maphanga, Mvelase, Mabaso, Mdlinzo, Mako, Lentjies (Julies 61’), Sekola (Mashego 55’).

Sundowns: Onyango, Langerman, Soumahoro, Ngcongca, Madisha, Billiat (Zakri 85’), Kekana (Zwane 74’), Mabunda, Vilakazi (Laffor 74’), Manyisa, Tau.