Cape Town - Chippa United prevented Sundowns from scoring for the first time in the league this season in their 0-0 draw at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
In yet another goalless draw in the Premiership, it was
clear to see from the opening few minutes why neither side failed to find the
net.
With both sides lauded for their 'attacking ability', the
intensity from kick-off was way below the standard required to challenge any
defence.
Sundowns boasted an impressive record of remaining unbeaten
away from home this season and came into the fixture full of confidence against
Chippa - who knocked them out of the Telkom Knock-Out last month.
However, the home side boasted an eight-match unbeaten run
in the league under interim-coach Teboho Moloi since his arrival.
But from the starting whistle, it looked as if neither side
were up for the game as their intensity and willingness to throw men forward
with pace was non-existent.
Khama Billiat's through ball that handed Percy Tau a
half-chance shortly before the break that was smothered by Chippa goalkeeper
Daniel Akpeyi was the only noteworthy action between the two sides.
And while the game improved considerably in the second
forty-five minutes neither side was unable to find a goal.
Paseka Mako had the best chance of the game in the 56th
minute but his shot was blasted well over Denis Onyango's goal post.
Shortly after the near-miss Akpeyi was stretched off the
field of play with a neck injury and replaced with on-loan Orlando Pirates
stopper Brighton Mhlongo.
And in the final twenty minutes, the home side sat back and soaked up all the pressure from the Brazilians to secure a point to stretch their unbeaten run in the league to nine games.
The result moves Pitso Mosimane's side into second place,
while Moloi's side moves into fourth.