Mamelodi Sundowns failed to score for the second successive game as they were held to a stalemate by Swallows FC.
DStv Premiership
Result: Swallows 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 09 April 2023
Venue: Dobsonville Stadium
Sundowns made three changes to the side that was held to a goalless draw by Cape Town City on Tuesday, as Haashim Domingo, Sphelele Mkhulise and Sipho Mbule were handed starts.
Swallows, on the other hand, had only one change after their narrow win over AmaZulu, as Evans Rusike took the place of Kagiso Malinga, who was not in the squad.
The game was open in the early exchanges, as Tshediso Patjie came close to giving the hosts the lead with a thunderbolt that brought the best out of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
However, the Brazilians started to take control of the game with patient build-ups in Swallows' half and Peter Shalulile had a golden chance just before the half-hour mark after a loose ball fell kindly in his path but his ballooned his volley over the crossbar from close-range.
Rulani Mokwena's charges were denied clear chances in the last third despite their combination play and Teboho Mokoena had a crack at goal just before the interval after he was given acres of space on the edge of the box but his effort zipped just wide.
Sundowns continued to pin Swallows back in their own half after the break but they were not finding gaps and they reacted with an attacking change just before the hour-mark, as Abubaker Nasir replaced Mkhulise.
The move almost did the trick for the Brazilians four minutes later as Shalulile had a chance to break the deadlock with a volley on a turn at the near post that was smothered by goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.
Sundowns needed more urgency in the last third and on 67 minutes they brought on Gaston Sirino in place of Domingo and again, that switch opened up a golden chance after Akpeyi spilled a cross on the path of Shalulile in the box but the Namibian looped his shot over the crossbar.
The Tshwane giants put Swallows under more pressure and Sirino had a goal disallowed with ten minutes to go after a foul by Shalulile in the box.
As Sundowns camped inside Swallows' half, Shalulile almost snatched the winner in the last minute with a pile-driver that was pushed away by Akpeyi and the Birds held on to get a crucial point that moved them four points clear of relegation in 13th spot
Here's how they lined up:
Swallows: 55. Akpeyi, 66. Sam, 34. Sait, 4. Allan, 44. Mngonyama, 20. Patjie, 18. Damons, 7. Mtshali, 6. Mthethwa, 3. Isaacs, 19. Rusike
Subs: 31. Mbanjwa, 38. Uromi, 23. Shwabule, 2. Sibiya, 32. Lukhubeni, 28. Sasman, 70. Macheke, 24. Amoojee, 39. Matsheke
Mamelodi Sundowns: 32. Williams, 25. Mudau, 17. Modiba, 20. Kekana, 34. Mvala, 4. Mokoena, 24. Mbule, 21. Mkhulise, 35. Maema, 38. Shalulile, 23. Domingo
Subs: 14. D.Onyango, 13. Boutouil, 3. Ngobeni, 27. Morena, 8. Zungu, 11. Allende, 18. Zwane, 10. Sirino, 28. Nasir
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