Mamelodi Sundowns' perfect record in the DStv Premiership came to an end after fiery goalless draw against Cape Town City in the PSL's first-ever Christmas Eve clash.
DStv Premiership
Result: Cape Town City 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 24 December 2023
Venue: DHL Stadium
Sundowns were without the services of Teboho Mokoena who picked up an injury during the win over Pyramids on Tuesday, as Bongani Zungu got a start in midfield alongside Sipho Mbule.
For City, top scorer Khanyiso Mayo was suspended while Thabiso Kutumela was unable to feature against his parent club, as Eric Tinkler gave Jo Paciência and Darwin Gonzalez a start.
The game got off to a fiery start with both sides looking to get an early goal, although clear-cut chances were few and far between the in the opening 20 minutes of the first half.
Sundowns took more control of the game as the first half progressed but other than a couple shalky back-passes from City's Lorenzo Gordinho, the visitors struggled to mount a threat on Darren Keet's goal.
Both sides did have chances near the end of the stanza, as Gonzalez blasted wide after being set up by Thamsanqa Mkhize while Lucas Costa Ribeiro failed to hit the target with only Keet to beat six yards out.
It was more of the same in the early stages of the second half, which prompted coach Rulani Mokwena to make a triple change as Themba Zwane, Lebohang Maboe and Aubrey Modiba replaced Gaston Sirino, Sipho Mbule and Zungu.
The away side did go close to pulling ahead on 69 minutes when Rushine de Reuck got on the end of Modiba's corner but the defender sent his towering header wide of the target.
Mokwena surprisingly decided to haul off his top scoers in Shalulile and Ribeiro with 15 minutes left on the clock, as Thapelo Maseko and Lesiba Nku were brought on to change their fortunes.
Both sides threw bodies forward in the latter stages of the second half, but neither were able to fashion a big chance as Sundowns dropped points for the first time in the league this season.
Here's how they lined up:
Cape Town City: 16. Keet, 2. Mkhize, 15. Cupido, 26. Gordinho, 44. Slatisha, 8. Sifumba, 27. Goedeman, 26. Nodada, 23. Rhodes, 29. Paciencia, 20. Gonzalez
Subs: 31. Mpandle, 5. Ambina, 11. Nyama, 22. Fisher, 53. April, 14. Ramazani, 41. Daniels, 6. Mokhuoane
Mamelodi Sundowns: 30. Williams, 27. Morena, 14. Mashego, 20. Kekana, 3. De Reuck, 8. Zungu, 24. Mbule, 10. Sirino, 21. Mkhulise, 9. Ribeiro, 38. Shalulile
Subs: 26. Pieterse, 34.Mvala, 25. Mudau, 11. Allende, 39. Maboe, 17. Modiba, 18. Zwane, 33. Maseko, 7. Nku
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