Platinum Stars and the University of Pretoria played to a goalless draw in an Absa Premiership encounter in Rustenburg on Sunday afternoon.

AmaTuks created the better of the chances throughout the 90 minutes, but were ultimately unable to find the back of the net in what was an uninspiring game at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium

Both coaches rung the changes as they looked for a change of fortune following what has been a difficult start to the season.

Robert Ng'ambi and Tshepo Gumede notably returned for the hosts, while there was also a debut for Zimbabwean striker Patrick Kaunda.

Steve Barker, meanwhile, recalled Thabo Mnyamane, Khethukuhle Zwane and Thabo Mosadi to the starting XI; all three came off the bench in Tuks’ loss to Kaizer Chiefs earlier this month.

There was no place for Geoffrey Massa, who had to settle for a place among the substitutes, with Atusaye Nyondo partnering Mnyamane in attack.

AmaTuks were the first to trouble the opposition keeper, with Sifiso Nzimande forcing Kabelo Dambe into an acrobatic save in the 11th minute. His looping effort posed some threat to the Botswana international, who just about managed to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Dambe was again called into action in the 25th minute. Thabo Mosadi played a quick one-two with Zwane, but failed to find a way past the Stars shot-stopper, who did well to smother the winger's effort.

Ng'ambi and Ngele looked menacing for the hosts, but Stars were finding it difficult to break down AmaTuks’ defence.

At the other end, Nyondo missed a glorious chance to grab the lead for the visitors three minutes before the break. Mosadi stormed down the left flank before picking out the Malawi marksman, who scuffed his effort over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.

Chances were far and few between in the second-half, with both keepers mere spectators in the early exchanges of the stanza.

Rhulani Manzini, who replaced Ngele in the 72nd minute, almost had an immediate impact, but the striker was only able to direct his header straight at a grateful Washington Arubi who was well positioned in the centre of his goals.

Both teams had chances in the final moments of the encounter, with Mosadi again brilliantly denied by an onrushing Dambe while Ng'ambi flashed a half-volley straight at Arubi.

The result sees both sides remain in 12th and 13th place on the log respectively.

Platinum Stars 0
University of Pretoria 0

Platinum Stars: Dambe, Mere, Gumede, Tshikovhi, Mpeta, Msomi, Ng'ambi, Ngele (Manzini 72'), Banyana, Mabena, Kaunda (Rodgers 65')

University of Pretoria: Arubi, Kekana, Shoyisa, Jaure, Nzimande, Mosadi (Nkwana 90+3'), Ngubane, Ketjijere, Zwane (Maruping 77'), Mnyamane (Massa 71'), Nyondo