Polokwane City hold Sundowns in Pretoria

Polokwane City produced a defensive masterclass as they held Mamelodi Sundowns to a 0-0 draw at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday evening to end the year on a high.

Rulani Mokwena's side created more chances than they did against Cape Town City six days earlier, although they failed to score for a second game in succession following some determined defending from Rise And Shine.

The Brazilians stretched their lead at the top of the table to six points after SuperSport United suffered a surprise 3-1 defeat to Richards Bay earlier in the day, while the Limpopo outfit dropped to ninth in the standings despite taking four points from their last two games in 2023.

Sundowns bossed possession in the opening 45 minutes and spent a lot of time in the opposition half, but they struggled to break down the blue wall.

Polokwane seemed to take a page out of Cape Town City's book as they closed down the Brazilians when the ball crossed the halfway line to deny them space.

The hosts' best chance came in the 13th minute as Khuliso Mudau steered an improvised flick wide of the near post from six yards out after Marcelo Allende's cutback from the right was slightly behind him.

Luciano van Heerden tried his luck from range at the other end on 21 minutes after being played into a pocket of space, but his shot was deflected well wide of the right post for a corner.

Tholo Matuludi did well to get down the right flank in the 39th minute and send in a low cross for Douglas Mapfumo, whose first-time shot was blocked before Manuel Kambala blazed well over from distance when the ball came out to him.

Grant Kekana lashed an effort high over the crossbar from long range in the first minute of stoppage time after the defence sat off him as he was allowed to carry the ball a long way.

The pattern of play continued in the second half, with Sundowns seeing plenty of the ball but unable to create many clear-cut chances.

Thapelo Maseko should perhaps have done better when he fired over from an acute angle on the left in the 52nd minute after Lucas Ribeiro drove into the box and fed the left-back.

Substitute Tlou Nkwe almost made an immediate impact as he drew a comfortable save out of Ronwen Williams with a strike from long range in the 57th minute following a good switch of play from the right.

Manuel Sapunga was called into action for the first time on 63 minutes when he expertly turned Teboho Mokoena's free-kick around the left post, although he was finally beaten nine minutes later by Peter Shalulile, who slotted home from eight yards out.

However, after some deliberation between the referee and the assistant, the goal was ruled out for a foul by Themba Zwane as he won the ball back inside the box.

Kambala failed to keep his shot on the turn down from just outside the 18-yard area in the 87th minute after a corner was recycled and Sapunga had to be alert moments later when he pulled off another fine save to deny Bathusi Aubaas.

Rivaldo Coetzee nearly found a late winner as he hit a shot inches over the bar from the edge of the box in the third minute of stoppage time, but Sundowns had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Mamelodi Sundowns 0

Polokwane City 0

Mamelodi Sundowns: R. Williams, K. Mudau, R. Coetzee, G. Kekana (B. Aubaas 88'), M. Allende, T. Mokoena, A. Modiba (G. Sirino 82'), T. Maseko (T. Mashego 75') T. Zwane (L. Nku 88'), P. Shalulile, L. Ribeiro.

Polokwane City: M. Sapunga, T. Matuludi, B. Nikani, L. Nkaki, L. Ndlovu, B. Nana (T. Nkwe 56'), L. van Heerden (N. Maphangule 28'), M. Kambala, G. Mashikinya, M. Ramabu, D. Mapfumo (P. Marema 56').