In facing a stubborn Golden Arrows outfit in their latest DStv Premiership assignment, Mamelodi Sundowns could only manage a point in a 0-0 draw with Abafana Bes’thende at the Mpumalanga Stadium on Wednesday night.
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As expected, Sundowns dominated the opening exchanges of the game as Arrows were forced to defend their quarters during the first 10 minutes.
In response to Sundowns early pressure, Abafana Bes’thende often looked to hit the league champions on the counter attack.
The Brazilians continued to see the bulk of the ball possession count midway through the first 45 as the likes of Marcelo Allende, Thembinkosi Lorch and Matias Esquivel probed inside the Golden Arrows area.
Knox Mutizwa provided one of Arrows' best chances of the half after latching onto a pin-point through ball into the Sundowns area.
In an attempt to avert the danger, goalkeeper Ronwen Williams rushed out of his 18-yard-area before fouling the on-rushing attacker.
Awaiting the referee’s decision, an anxious Williams received a yellow card for his last-ditch tackle, much to the disappointment of the Arrows technical team.
Mutizwa’s effort proved to be the last bit of action of the half as the two sides went into the break with the score tied at 0-0.
RED CARD
Mosa Lebusa received his marching orders soon after the restart by fouling Lungelo Nguse inside the Downs half after finding himself in an inviting position en-route to goal.
Despite the protests from his fellow Sundowns teammates, the referee was set on his decision to send the centre-back for an early shower.
Despite being a man light, Sundowns remained in control of the tie. With Lesiba Nku introduced from the bench, the Tshwane side looked lively down the left-hand flank and created a couple of scoring opportunities toward the hour-mark.
Parked on the edge of their area, Arrows were forced to endure relentless attacking advancements by the travelling side toward the 75th minute mark.
At the other end of the pitch, Steve Komphela’s side did little to trouble the Sundowns backline.
Goalkeeper Ismael Watenga was summoned into action in the 85th minute and kept his side in the game with a point-blank save from Allende’s shot inside the box.
At the opposite end of the field, Arrows came close to scoring an opener on two occasions after breaching the Downs backline via swift counter attacks.
Nevertheless, Sundowns were unable to penetrate the Arrows defence, while Abafana Bes’Thende failed to convert their chances toward the end of the tie.
The Brazilians leave KZN with a point added to their #DStvPrem tally! Let's get ready for the next one! 👆
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 8, 2024
Golden Arrows 0⃣➖0⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns #Sundowns #DownsLive #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/ynAipWRFyk
Golden Arrows 0
Mamelodi Sundowns 0
Golden Arrows: Watenga, Theron, Cele, Shitolo, Cross, Dube (Zuke 66’), Dlamini (Hlatshwayo 66’), Zwane (Lukhele 56’), Sibiya (Mwengani 73’), Mutizwa, Nguse
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Lebusa, Coetzee, Kekana (Mvala 65’), Modiba, Zwane (Morena 53’), Allende, Mudau, Esquivel (Nku 53’), Lorch (Mendieta 65’), Costa (Shalulile 28’)