Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 0-0 draw by Cape Town City in a DStv Premiership clash at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening.

The result means the Citizens become just the second team (after Chippa United) to take a point off the Brazilians this season. The Tshwane side continue to enjoy a five-point lead at the top of the standings and have still yet to concede a goal this season, while the Capetonians are ninth, 13 points off the leaders’ pace.

Sundowns generally enjoyed more possession through the first quarter of the match, though clear chances with which to test City goalkeeper Huge Marques were hard to come by.

The hosts, meanwhile, offered a potent threat on the counter attack through the pace of Fagrie Lakay, but rarely executed cleanly when given a chance to move from back to front quickly.

One such example arose on the half-hour mark when a ‘Downs corner ended in a swift attack for City, but Lakay, having sprinted free of the defence down the right, pulled his effort well wide. Seconds later the South African international striker had another chance, and this time his well-struck effort stung the palms of goalkeeper Denis Onyango.

On 35 minutes Haashim Domingo had the visitors’ first notable effort on target, striking for the top corner direct from a free kick, but Marques made a fine save to keep the score line blank.

The Brazilians dialled up the pressure in the dying minutes of the first half, but the Citizens were able to hold firm and see the game level at 0-0 heading into the interval.

Domingo again tested Marques early in the second half, with his low shot from the edge of the penalty area smothered by the City goalkeeper, before Grant Kekana headed wide of the near post from Thabiso Kutumela’s free kick delivery.

City almost netted the opening goal on 70 minutes when some fine passing opened up space for debutant Taahir Goedeman, but his drive from the right of the box was turned away by Onyango.

The last attacking highlight arrived early in injury time when Sundowns substitute Neo Maema powered a shot on target, but it was easily punched away by Marques to ensure the clash ended in a stalemate.

Sundowns will return to DStv Premiership action on Wednesday 24 November with a home match against SuperSport United, while City’s next league outing is away to TS Galaxy on Saturday 27 November.

Cape Town City 0

Cape Town City:Marques, Mkhize, Fasika, Fielies, Mashego, Mokeke, Goedeman (Mokhuoane 74’), Makola, Mdantsane (Mapfumo 59’), Ralani (Mobara 88’), Lakay

Mamelodi Sundowns:D. Onyango, Mudau, Kekana, Lebusa, Lunga (Lakay 76’), Morena (Mvala 76’), Jali, Zwane, Domingo (Maluleka 87’), Kutumela (Maema 87’), Shalulile