Mamelodi Sundowns were left frustrated after their 10-men played to a 0-0 draw against Highlands Park in their Absa Premiership match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
Pitso Mosimane handed Jeremy Brockie the chance to recover his form upfront after Masandawana suffered a 1-0 Caf Champions League defeat to Wydad Casablanca last Friday.
Meanwhile, Lindokuhle Mbatha returned to the starting XI for the Lions of the North after missing their 2-2 draw with Black Leopards in their second league encounter.
The Brazilians started the game on the front foot with Brockie going down in the area looking for a penalty, but the referee waved play on in the opening exchanges of the match.
The Lions of the North defended well to keep Sundowns quiet after 15 minutes of play. However, Masandawana remained in control of the game but were struggling to find space to play their usual game.
The first chance for Sundowns came after 19 minutes when Hlompho Kekana tried his trademark strike, but the skipper failed to get the right height on his effort.
Brockie had a chance to hand the home side the lead four minutes later, but the New Zealand striker scuffed his strike at goal.
The home side should have broken the deadlock in the 35th minute when Gaston Sirino sent an inviting ball towards the far post, but once again Brockie was unable to slot the ball home.
It turned out to be a bad night for the Kiwi striker after he failed to get his shot away after being put through by Sibusiso Vilakazi following good work by Jose Ali Meza.
The game went into the half-time interval with the scoreline locked at 0-0.
The Brazilians were reduced to 10-men early in the second half after Ricardo Nascimento received a straight red card. The Sundowns defender should have only picked up a yellow for the foul, but his reaction convinced referee Phelelani Ndaba to send him off.
Mosimane responded immediately by introducing Motjeka Madisha on to replace the goal-shy Brockie.
Sundowns dominated proceedings as the game went on but they found it hard to break down the Highlands defence.
Wayne Arendse nearly handed Sundowns the lead in the 72nd minute, but the lanky defender’s header was superbly cleared off the line by Junior Sibande.
Mosimane introduced the likes of Toni Silva and Lyle Lakay in the closing stages of the game, but the Lions of the North managed to hold on until the final whistle to secure a point against the defending champions.
Mamelodi Sundowns starting XI:
Onyango, Ngcongca, Arendse, Nascimento, Langerman, Kekana (C), Vilakazi, Zwane, Sirino, Meza, Brockie. SUBS: Pieterse, Mkhulise, Silva, Lakay, Maboe, Madisha, Jali.
Highlands Park starting XI:
Kapini, Sibande, Motsepe, Mokoena, Haoseb, Mvala, Mbatha, Mahlangu, Rae, Nyembe, Mofokeng. SUBS: Heugh, Fransman, Ngebo, Motlafi, Mbunjana, Versuur, Msimango.
Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix