Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a goalless draw by Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Brazilians went into the MTN8 semifinal first-leg encounter as favourites against the Chilli Boys in the city of Port Elizabeth.
Chippa goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi was forced into an early save six minutes into the game when he gathered Sundowns winger Percy Tau's cross from the left.
The Brazilians were dominating possession as they looked to break the deadlock, but the Chilli Boys looked well organized at the back.
Eight minutes before half-time, Khama Billiat played a good free-kick into the Chippa box and his Sundowns teammate Ricardo Nascimento headed the ball narrowly wide of the target.
Ivorian midfielder Yannick Zakri made his Sundowns debut in the 54th minute when he replaced Percy Tau as the visitors looked to break the deadlock.
In the 68th minute, Chippa launched an attack and they made an appeal for a hand ball after the ball hit Wayne Arendse, but the referee waved play on.
Sibusiso Vilakazi had a chance to fire Sundowns into the lead with 14 minutes left on the clock, but his shot was blocked in the Chippa box.
Chippa and Sundowns pushed for a late goal in the dying minutes of the game, but it never came and the match ended in a goalless stalemate.