Following a goalless draw with Al Hilal Omdurman on Friday, Mamelodi Sundowns maintained their unbeaten run in the CAF Champions League.
The Brazilians had already secured a spot in the quarter-finals and could afford the luxury of changes to their starting lineup. Infact, only the quartet of Rushine De Reuck, Mosa Lebusa, Sphelele Mkhulise and Gaston Sirino retained their spots in the line-up.
Sundowns got an early scare just after two minutes as Nasr Omar was left unmarked in the box and took a low shot towards. However, his effort was saved by goalkeeper Ricardo Goss.
Once again, the visitors came close to opening the scoring two minutes later after Gaston Sirino combined well with Maurico Affonso and took a shot that went just inches wide off goal.
Sundowns got a chance of their own and almost broke the deadlock just before the half-hour mark. De Reuck’s goal-bound header was cleared off the line after goalkeeper Ali Achrine was caught outside his area.
The Brazilians continued to sit deep in their half and it nearly cost them just before the end of the first half. Abu Aagla saw his effort hit the post in the 33rd minute before Mohamed Abdel Rahman came close with an effort in the 40th minute that narrowly missed the upright by mere inches.
After the break, the Blue Wave resumed as the better side and put pressure on Sundowns. Faris Abdalla came close to breaking the deadlock just seven minutes into the second half but his left footed effort was saved by Goss.
Sundowns continued with more of the same from the first half and continued to defend deep in their own half. Al Hilal dominated most of the possession but struggled to create any clear-cut chance upfront.
Towards the end of the game, Hlompho Kekana looked to have won the game for Sundowns after his long strike caight Achrine out of his area. Unfortunately for the visitors, that effort dipped just in the very end and ended up hitting the cross bar.
Al-Hilal had one final chance in stoppage time to claim a late win but Abdel Rahman sent his free-kick just over the bar to see both sides share the spoils.
However, the stalemate saw Sundowns lose their 100 per cent record in the competition. The Brazilians remain top of the group with 13 points while Al-Hilal remain second with four points.