Newly crowned DStv Premiership champions, Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 0-0 draw by Lamontville Golden Arrows at the Mpumalanga Stadium on Wednesday.

Albeit goalless, the fixture offered the spectators what could be described as a mouthwatering 90 minutes of football. The Masandawana defence was under threat in the early minutes of the encounter as the hosts’ attack caused problems, forcing the first save out of Ronwen Williams after driving it and shooting just outside the area.

The visitors returned the fire through Thembinkosi Lorch who tried to spread his foot in the nearpost to try and make things happen for his side, but the Golden Arrows keeper, Ismail Watenga smacked the ball away to deny them.

It was an occupied opening for both goalkeepers as end-to-end football was displayed, sending both teams’ rearguards to work and having to defend their boxes. Lucas Ribeiro, who posed a few threats in the opening moments of the encounter, picked up an injury before the thirty-minute mark which forced Coach Rhulani Mokwena to make an early substitution, introducing Peter Shalulile.

Pressure was brewing as the two sides were looking for an opener and it was beginning to become evident in the pitch. Matias Esquivel had a big chance right in front of goal, to make a difference before the break but he put it over the bar.

The first half closed with a free kick awarded to Abafana Bes’thende following a foul by Ronwen Williams who got booked. The setpiece was however not fruitful as the ball went wide, seeing both sides goalless at the break.

The second stanza kicked off with the referee giving marching orders to Mosa Lebusa following a last man foul on Arrows’ Zwane, leaving the Brazilians with only ten men in the pitch.

The KwaZulu-Natal-based side took advantage of the ten men they were playing against and made an instant impact through two dangerous chances in quick succession, but both attempts went wide.