League leaders Mamelodi Sundowns extended their unbeaten start to the season as they played to a hard-fought 0-0 draw with Bloemfontein Celtic at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The first half started at a cautious pace and proved to be a closely-contested affair as both sides struggled to create clear-cut goal scoring chances throughout.
The first chance of note eventually arrived on 17 minutes when Celtic won a free-kick just outside the danger area but Lantshene Phalane was unable to capitalise as he scooped his shot over the bar.
Sundowns hit back with a chance of their own five minutes later but Mothobi Mvala was unable to direct his header on target after being teed up by Themba Zwane's pinpoint cross.
The hosts created two more chances either side of the half-hour mark but both came to nothing as Zwane fired narrowly wide from the right side of the box, before Kermit Erasmus saw his goal bound shot saved by Jackson Mabokgwane in the Siwelele goal.
Celtic threatened to break the deadlock in the closing stages of the half but Mbhazima Rikhotso shot narrowly wide of the left upright following an inviting cross from Lantshene Phalane.
There was a slow start from both teams after the break but the match eventually sprang to life in the 57th minute after Erasmus saw his left-footed shot from range denied by the woodwork, much to the relief of the Celtic defence.
And the flood gates opened wide as both teams created several chances to break the deadlock.
Celtic's Andile Fikizolo fired wide of the mark before teammate Sera Motebang saw his goalbound effort saved by Sundowns keeper Denis Onyango.
Sundowns, meanwhile, fashioned a whole host of opportunities with varying results.
Erasmus saw two of his shots saved by Mabokgwane, while Mvala, Lebohang Maboe and Lesedi Kapinga failed to find the mark with their respective efforts.
Celtic briefly threatened to snatch the lead against the run of play but Andile Fikizolo failed to make the chance count as he fired over the bar from the right side of the box.
And, despite the referee signalling for seven minutes of additional time, Sundowns were unable to find a way past an obstinate Celtic defence in the closing stages of the contest.
- TEAMTalk media