Mamelodi Sundowns remain on course to finish the DStv Premiership season unbeaten following a goalless draw against Golden Arrows on Wednesday evening.
Masandawana recalled Mosa Lebusa, Aubrey Modiba, Matias Esquivel and Thembinkosi Lorch following the win at Stellenbosch FC on Sunday, while Bradley Cross was amongst the returnees for Arrows.
Sundowns played high early on and pinned the host to their own half before Lucas Ribeiro Costa got behind from a corner to draw a save from Ismail Watenga from the tightest of angles.
However, the momentum switched to the other end where a loose ball from a stray pass gave Nduduzo Sibiya space to take hold and get a shot in which Ronwen Williams picked up.
Peter Shalulile was brought on past the midway point of the half after replacing Sundowns top scorer Costa, who was unable to continue playing.
Esquivel wasted a golden chance on the half-hour mark when he hoofed a perfect cutback from the left of the area by Modiba.
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Sundowns enjoyed a strong finish to the half and forced Watenga to dive to the near post to steer Shalulile’s long-range shot into touch.
It was a dreadful start to the second period for Masandawna, as Lebusa got a straight red-card a minute from the break following a professional foul on Lungelo Nguse.
Abafana Besthende were keen to make use of the man advantage, but struggled to get in-behind the reigning champions despite a few moments specifically on the break.
Sundowns remained in the thick of things a few minutes apart and were close to the lead themselves when Shalulile nodded narrowly wide of the near post from a corner.
Argentine Junior Mendieta had a golden chance to give the visitors the winner with a one-touch attempt from a cutback, but Watenga produced sharp reflexes.
The match opened up in the latter minutes, as Watenga made another fine stop to deny Marcelo Allende from close-range.
At the other end, a surging run from deep by Nguse who had beaten the offside trap led him towards target but slammed well wide of the far corner and goalless it finished.
Confirmed line-ups:
Golden Arrows: Watenga, Cross , Cele, Shitolo, Theron, Zwane, Mutizwa, Sibiya, Dube, Dlamini, Nguse
Subs: Kayode, Zuke, Mwengani, Sibeko, Libamba, Ncube , Moon, Hlatshwayo, Lukhele
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Lebusa, Kekana, Coetzee, Modiba, Allende, Zwane, Esquivel, Ribiero, Lorch
Subs: Onyango, Mvala, Aubaas, Mbule, Maema, Mendieta, Nku, Morena, Shalulile
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