Kaizer Chiefs and Sundowns played out a goalless draw in a thrilling Castle Premiership match played at Loftus on Wednesday night.
Amakhosi just about edged the honours in an action packed first half in which Chiefs midfield star Jabu Pule had a 44th minute penalty saved by Downs keeper Ronnie Kanalelo.
Both goalkeepers shone in this contest watched by an estimated 25 000 fans. The match was delayed by 30 minutes in order to allow late fans the chance to enter the stadium.
Chiefs goalkeeper Brian Baloyi showed his class when he brilliantly saved a well aimed shot from Alex Bapela after 16 minutes.
At the other end Kanalelo denied Pule a goal in the 20th and 29th minutes. But the Namibian keeper did even better a minute from halftime when he brilliantly save Pule’s penalty after referee Petros Mathubela had awarded Chiefs a penalty after a tackle by defender Craig Bianchi on Phumlani Mkhize.
The referee got it wrong as the infringement was shown to be just outside the penalty area and justice was seen to be served when Kanalelo saved Pule’s spot kick.
The second half continued at the same fast pace with neither side letting up and despite no goals being scored there was plenty of action for the big crowd.
Mkhize headed into the side netting after 55 minutes. Then four minutes later Thabo Mooki shaved the Sundowns upright with a blistering 30 metre rocket.
Then it was Bapela’s turn to shoot wide in the 66th minute. Baloyi did well to block Daniel Mdau from breaking the deadlock a minute later. Both sides created chances but on the run of play a draw was a fair result. – Sapa