'Downs left frustrated by Maritzburg

Cape Town - Maritzburg United were superb defensively as they held Mamelodi Sundowns to a 0-0 draw in their Absa Premiership match at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Wednesday night.

The point is Maritzburg’s fourth of the season after picking up a win in their opening league match and sees them in fifth place on the table.

The point for Sundowns is their first of the season in their first game and sees them at ninth spot on the log.

The Brazilians dominated the possession stakes and the shots on goal, but they were continuously frustrated by goalkeeper Virgil Vries and a well-organised home defence.

It was a lively start to the game for the Brazilians with Thapelo Morena breaking into the box as early as the second minute, but he saw his stinging effort well-saved by the keeper.

Sundowns kept pushing forward and probably should have scored in the 18^th minute when Themba Zwane found himself in acres of space at the back post, but again he was thwarted by the United keeper.

The home side offered very little in attack and their only threat on goal was a penalty appeal on the half hour mark after Philani Zulu went down inside the box, but the referee waved play-on.

The half ended 0-0

In the 49^th minute,  Sibusiso Vilakazi came bitterly close to scoring when he broke through on goal and chipped the onrushing keeper, but his effort sailed just over the target.

Six minutes later Kurt Leintjies almost scored against the run of play, but the Maritzburg player saw his shot from the edge of the box go inches over the crossbar.

Vries was at his best yet again in the 70^th minute, this time the United keeper denying Vilakazi from close range.

Sundowns continued to push forward for the remainder of the match, but the home side’s defence held firm.