Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a goalless draw by Bidvest Wits on Tuesday evening at Loftus Versfeld.
Coach Pitso Mosimane went with an unchanged starting XI from the one that beat AmaZulu FC 3-0 over the weekend.
Both sides were looking to close the gap to the top of the league table and the defensive quality of both sides was on display as neither side allowed the other to create many chances. The opening stages of the game saw only one chance falling to Wits, as Denis Onyango was called into action after only two minutes to make a save from a Phathutshedzo Nange shot.
Downs had to wait twenty minutes for their first opportunity of the game, with Themba Zwane seeing his shot saved by Ricardo Goss in goals.
Neither side was able to find the breakthrough in the first half and the two sides went into the break goalless.
Downs came out in the second half with intent as they looked to break down the Wits defence. The visitors were reduced to ten men after defender Buhle Mkhwanazi was shown a second yellow card after a late challenge on Sibusiso Vilakazi
Sundowns had their best chance of the evening when Vilakazi hit the upright after his curling shot beat Goss in goals. Goss was proving to be a force in goals as he denied Vilakazi from point-blank range with ten minutes to go.
Downs continued to pile on the pressure as they looked for a goal but ultimately they could not find their way past the resilient Wits defence.
Mamelodi Sundowns 0 – 0 Bidvest Wits
We understand that our boys play all most every 3days..we Appreciate their dedication…to our wonderful Coach PISTO..plz when such opportunities available to us come with plan b…u said we should have won our game at MABHIDA.. thinking u will wait to pounce on Wit’s at the right time.. 2questions did we have to continue playing with 4 defence at the back, AGAINST Motupa..2 why not take one defensive middle fielder..and introduce Magalwa, with Villa, MSHISHI,Mkhulise And Maboe all attacking.. since the game flavours Sundowns,And put Wit’s defense under pressure..since 3 players were on yellow card..and Tyson was on thin Ice..yes was supposed to be booked for second yellow… I’m not complaining but not happy as well.. I believe it’s assistant job to pickup SUCH important details..if coach didn’t pick up.. What are they writing KANTI..any plz gets some rest guys..inde lendlela eniyihambayo ushilo u JALI
It’s a pity that my team appeared to be lacking plan B after Wits red card. Wherever you go should your opponents get a red, it allows and gives you a new approach to the game wherein you can only have 3 defenders and pack your middle-field to allow passes on the space for strikers to attack. But in our case we couldn’t capitalise on the 15 minutes that remained after the red card. With CAF experience and three coaches on the bench, and seniors like Hlompho and Jali, I believe the results should have been be positive now.But it seems we became even more flat and only try to play in the last 4 minute of referee’s optional time.Anyhow lets just wait for Chiefs-Highlands game and see how the gap stood.
Hard luck boys u played well control the game but its a pity that the chances we created we could not convert them but such is football even the Might Barcelona could not beat the bottom of the log Espanyol over the weekend. KBY I remain.
I share similar sentiment that football has its ups and downs “no pun intended”. I doubt the coach had no plan “B” and this is in response to commentary above. I’m sure various factors influenced the decision by the coach. One thing I would say is that, Sundowns pace only picked up much later in the game since we couldn’t bring the game to our pace with Wits. Should we encounter a game where the opponent is fast paced or a different game plan we should try harder to maintain our game plan than to try play catch-up. Soccer ke soccer. Forever yellow.