Mamelodi Sundowns were unable to celebrate their DStv Premiership title success with a victory, as they were held 0-0 by 10-man Cape Town City at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Brazilians were confirmed as 2022-23 champions this past weekend when nearest chasers SuperSport United failed to win, but this clash proved a frustrating one against a resilient Citizens outfit, who were able to shrug off the second-half dismissal of substitute Brice Ambina.
The result saw Sundowns re-establish a 20-point lead over the trio of Orlando Pirates, SuperSport and Kaizer Chiefs, while City are fifth, six points further back.
Sundowns started strongly, but City had the first notable shot when Thato Mokeke drilled a shot from the edge of the box which required a sharp save from Ronwen Williams.
The Brazilians goalkeeper made another fine stop on the half-hour mark to keep a Darwin Gonzalez curler, while the hosts made only one chance for Cassius Mailula which he directed straight at Darren Keet.
The start of the second half saw City introduce Ambina as a substitute, but the Cameroonian put his team in trouble when he received two yellow cards and was dismissed in the 74th minute.
‘Downs, with a man’s advantage, bossed the remainder of the game but their finishing let them down.
The normally clinical Peter Shalulile blazed over with six minutes remaining when he was teed up by Themba Zwane, while teenage attacker Siyabonga Mabena almost scored a sensational late goal but sent his shot narrowly off target, leaving the final score at 0-0.
The teams will return to DStv Premiership action on Sunday 9 April, with Sundowns away to Swallows FC and City at home to AmaZulu.
Mamelodi Sundowns 0
Cape Town City 0
Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Mvala, Kekana, Modiba, Mokoena, Maema (Mabena 81’), Zwane, Allende (Mkhulise 81’), Mailula (Nasir 63’), Shalulile
City: Keet, Mkhize, Cupido, Fielies, Van Heerden, Mokeke, Nodada, Gonzalez (Rhodes 90’), Zapata (Mdantsane 84’), Mayo (Daniels 90’), Mani (Ambina 46’)