Richards Bay slowed Mamelodi Sundowns’ Betway Premiership title charge as the two sides played out a 0-0 draw at Richards Bay Stadium on Sunday evening.
The result leaves Masandawana in second place, one point behind leaders Orlando Pirates, although Sundowns still have a game in hand. They will look to close the gap when they travel to face Polokwane City in Seshego on Wednesday.
The Natal Rich Boys, meanwhile, remain 10th on the log, four points adrift of eighth-placed Golden Arrows. The KwaZulu-Natal side will host Polokwane City on 6 May as they continue their push for a top-eight finish.
Masandawana threatened first when Khulumani Ndamane’s header was well saved by goalkeeper Ian Otieno in the 16th minute after he connected cleanly with a well-taken cross from Marcelo Allende.
However, Sundowns were dealt a blow when Arthur Sales went down injured, and the Brazilian attacker was replaced by Monnapule Saleng seven minutes before the half-hour mark. The score was 0-0 at the interval.
The Natal Rich Boys defence, well protected by Tuli-Ngenovali Nashixwa in midfield, continued to frustrate the champions after the restart. In the 69th minute, coach Miguel Cardoso replaced the ineffective Iqraam Rayners with Lebo Mothiba.
In the closing stages, the game opened up into a frantic end-to-end affair. Ronwen Williams produced a fabulous save to deny Sanele Barns from a one-on-one in the 85th minute, before Peter Shalulile narrowly missed the target in stoppage time. The match finished 0-0.
Richards 0
Sundowns 0
Richards: Otieno, Mabuya, Sikhakhane, Mcineka, Zulu, Nashixwa, Mthembu, Zikhali, Gumede, Barns (Zuke 90'), Mahala (Bomela 89')
Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Cupido, Ndamane, Modiba, Adams, Allende (Mokoena 79'), Ntsabeleng (Morena 68'), Matthews (Shalulile 79'), Sales (Saleng 23'), Rayners (Mothiba 69').