The Mamelodi Sundowns Diski Team collected a point on Saturday when they shared spoils with the Richards Bay Reserves in a goalless draw at the TuksStadium in Pretoria.
Having lost in the first round against Masandawana through three goals, Richards Bay was not looking to see a repeat of the situation when they traveled to Gauteng for this clash. While the young Brazilians looked to close the point gap between them and the log leaders, their Richards Bay counterparts were looking to leave with a clean sheet against their hosts.
Known for their dominance, the hosts were dominating the game and kept on driving the ball to the visitor’s half. The Natal Rich Boys’ low block was consistent as they defended in numbers, denying the hosts a chance to find the back of the net. This went on until the closing stages of the opening half.
Rulwana’s shot in the final stages of the first half was the first big chance of the game, but his efforts which sent the keeper diving, went slightly wide to deny them an opener. With the pressure piling up, the KwaZulu-Natal side forced a mistake out of their hosts, earning them a free-kick on the edge of the box. The kick rocketed over the bar and that was the closing statement as the two sides headed to the break deadlocked at 0-0.
Bafana Ba Style looked more confident and convincing in the second half. They looked more in control of the game and created more chances. Rulwana came close in the opening minutes of the second half but. With many numbers in the box defending the ball for Richards Bay, he took a chance from the edge of the box and fired a shot but it was blocked. Kutlwano Letlhaku also looked to find the back of the net with the biggest chance of the match. After a good play between OarabileBooysen, and Kabelo Sibande, the ball was landed to Letlhaku whose effort deflected to go wide, denying them a goal.
The pressure to find the back was on the host’s shoulders as they continued to try and crack their Richards Bay counterparts’ defense line. While Richards Bay also pulled a few threats, both sides couldn’t find the back of the net and had to settle for a goalless goal.
How we lined up: Biyela, Sibande, Nkosi, Nkabinde, Sibiya, Masisi, Kekana ©, Jodamus, Letlhaku, Mokoena, Rulwana.
Subs: Shabangu, Mampane, Mokoele, Booysen, Zandamela.
