Stars, SuperSport play to goalless draw

Cape Town - Platinum Stars and SuperSport United could not be separated after their Absa Premiership clash at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium ended in a goalless draw.

Both teams struggled in the final third, where the defenders were winning the battles.

The visitors had the first sniff at goal on eight minutes when Clayton Daniels met Siyabonga Nhlapo's cross from the right, but his header was saved by Dino Visser.

Stars thought they had broken the deadlock two minutes later as Mere ran onto Riyaad Norodien's through-ball meant for Gerald Phiri, who left it in an offside position, and tucked through the legs of Pieterse.

But the offside flag had already been raised, despite the whistle only sounding after Mere had scored.

Koapeng drew a routine save out of Pieterse with a strike from 22 yards out midway through the first half and he tested the SuperSport keeper again on the half-hour mark with an angled shot on the left after being played in by Phiri.

The only other chance for the Pretoria outfit before half-time saw Norodien lash an effort over the crossbar from outside the box on 35 minutes, with no further goal-mouth action until the second half.

Goal-scoring opportunities were at a premium after the break, however, with only one attempt coming at each end.

Charles Baloyi should have done better when the ball dropped at his feet inside the area on 56 minutes, with the midfielder doing well to create space for himself before dragging a left-footed shot wide of the right post from 15 yards out.

Substitute Teboho Mokoena missed the target at the other end nine minutes later after connecting with Maphosa Modiba's cut-back from the left and steering the well over the bar from inside the box.