Sekhukhune United avoided a third straight loss in the DStv Premiership after playing to a goalless draw against Polokwane City on Sunday afternoon.
Veteran defender Daniel Cardoso returned to captain Babina Noko and was joined by goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare, as City made one change as Hlayisi Chauke came in for Douglas Maphumo.
It was an opening filled with a lot of final third entries as both sides looked to go on the front-foot and register the opener but the defences were well on guard.
Cardoso went close to finding the breakthrough for the home side with a rasping effort at the back-post after getting on the end of a free-kick, but he dragged over.
Sekhukhune continued to pile forward after the half-hour mark as Nyiko Mobbie charged in from the right to go in on goal but was thwarted in the end.
The contest was pretty even, although it wasn't short of exciting moments as Rise and Shine had a penalty appeal dismissed by referee Jelly Chavani off a coming-together involving Ndumiso Mabena.
In the second half, Babina Noko and City continued to battle away in key pursuit of the opener before Vusimuzi Mncube had a rasping free-kick from a clever angle whizzle over the top.
Both teams continued to have a go at each other though still failed to get the decisiveness up top as the match remained evenly balanced.
Sekhukhune brought in fresh faces in attack in the closing quarter, with Sibusiso Vilakazi on for Kgomotso Mosadi and Tiklas Thutlwa in for Vusimuzi Mncube.
Lehlohonolo Seema’s men had arguably the best chance in the last five minutes as a cross in the area found Mabena unmarked as well as the goal in sight, but he failed to beat Sangare.
The chances kept coming before full-time, but goalless was how the encounter, which denied Rise and Shine a third straight win and helped Sekhukhune bounce back from the midweek loss to Golden Arrows.
Confirmed line-ups:
Sekhukhune United: Sangare, Gyimah, Cardoso, Mobbie, Mtshali, Mokotjo, Mabotja, Mncube, Mosadi, Mokhele, Ohizu
Subs Learner, Baartman, Bwalya, Thutlwa, Ntiya-Ntiya, Vilakazi, Mahlangu, Dias, Mkhabela
Polokwane City: Sapunga, Ndlovu, Nikani, Mashikinya, Appollis, Maphangule, Matuludi, Nkaki, Mabena, Chauke, Ramabu
Subs: Mathubela, Baloyi, Raphadu, Baloyi, Thuto, Kambala, Van Heerden, Fikizolo, Goovadia, Nkwe
