It ended goalless in the match between Swallows and DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
While both teams kept their record of just one loss each this season, the big difference is Swallows’ nineteen draws, and just eight wins, while Sundowns have won seventeen, and drawn ten. Swallows remain fifth, 18 points behind Sundowns.
Swallows 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns
With the league title already wrapped up, Sundowns made seven changes to their starting line-up, from the team that beat SuperSport United on Wednesday.
Musa Nyatama had a good chance in the 7th minute for the home team, but the former Sundowns player rushed his shot, and it was easily saved by Reyaad Pieterse.
Aubrey Modiba had a chance in the 20th minute, but his shot was blocked by the Swallows defence, while Thabo Matlaba’s attempt for Swallows in the 28th minute was off target. Mosa Lebusa had an opportunity in the 40th minute, but it too went wide.
But there weren’t a lot of chances in the first half, and at the break it remained goalless.
Modiba tried a long range effort in the 53rd minute, but Sanele Tshabalala pulled off a good save to deny the Sundowns’ winger. Modiba had another chance in the 65th minute, but this time he was off target. Rushine De Reuck’s header from a corner in the 70th minute was not far off target.
Peter Shalulile had a good chance in the 73rd minute, but Junaid Sait’s last ditch tackle put the Namibian off and his attempt went high and wide.
Swallows’ best chance came two minutes later as Kagiso Malinga got to the end of a S’fiso Hlanti cross, but his header hit the crossbar and went over.
Given Thibedi’s effort from outside the area in the 80th minute was on target but Pieterse was on hand to make a comfortable save. Basadien’s deflected effort in the 85th minute was also saved by Pieterse.
The home team had a last ditch chance in the 90th minute but Njabulo Ngcobo’s effort off his chest went narrowly wide.
But at full-time it ended goalless at Dobsonville, Swallows maintaining their unbeaten home record this season.
