The final Premiership match of 2014 between University of Pretoria and Wits ended in a goalless stalemate at the Tuks Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Goals were in short supply on the last day of action during the university derby, with the league now going to recess for the Christmas break.
After a Wits corner-kick, the ball fell for Ben Motshwari on the edge of the box but he torpedoed his shot miles off target in the sixth minute.
Wits midfield maestro Sibusiso Vilakazi operated on the left flank in the opening minutes with him looking to take on AmaTuks right-back Siyabonga Ngumane.
Vilakazi then beat a challenge from Ngubane, followed by a second one from Thabo Mosadi to feed the ball into a dangerous area in the 11th minute for teammate Phumlani Ntshangase.
The midfielder took a shot that hit an opposition player and went out of play.
Wits were stationed in the opposition half for much of the opening quarter, pummelling AmaTuks with successive attacks.
Vilakazi again was the architect of a move on the flank that ending in Motshwari having clear sight on goal in the 16th minute.
However, AmaTuks goalkeeper Washington Arubi collected the ball after a heavy first touch.
Wits goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs was a mere spectator within the first half hour with the home side posing little threat in the box.
AmaTuks managed to get close to the box in the 28th minute after a thunderous free-kick from Geoffrey Massa on the edge of the box that blazed agonisingly wide of the target.
AmaTuks eventually made headway into the Wits box through Mosadi, who failed to punish Wits with a quick pass into the box, with Massa lurking unmarked in the area in the 36th minute.
Wits veteran striker Henrico Botes used his ingenuity to break free of his marker Siyabonga Shoyisa to whip in a cross that sailed over his teammates.
As the second half opened, the university clubs started tentatively in the scorching Tshwane sun, with few chances up until 10 minutes into play.
Wits attacking midfielder Jabulani Shongwe breached the AmaTuks defensive wall when he was left one-on-one with goalkeeper Arubi.
However, the Zimbabwean keeper made a superb save at close range in the 56th minute.
Striker Thabo Mnyamane nicked the ball from Wits defender Buhle Mkhwanazi and powered into the box.
Nevertheless, Mkhwanazi recovered well to make up ground in going for a goal-saving tackle in the 62nd minute.
As the encounter eclipsed the hour mark and the heat taking its toll, signs of sluggishness started to appear from both teams.
In the 81st minute Wits winger Sameehg Doutie failed to capitalise on a mistake by defender Grant Kekana when he drove into the box but his cross was intercepted by Shoyisa.
Year ends in stalemate after University derby draw
The final Premiership match of 2014 between University of Pretoria and Wits ended in a goalless stalemate at the Tuks Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Goals were in short supply on the last day of action during the university derby, with the league now going to recess for the Christmas break.
After a Wits corner-kick, the ball fell for Ben Motshwari on the edge of the box but he torpedoed his shot miles off target in the sixth minute.
Wits midfield maestro Sibusiso Vilakazi operated on the left flank in the opening minutes with him looking to take on AmaTuks right-back Siyabonga Ngumane.
Vilakazi then beat a challenge from Ngubane, followed by a second one from Thabo Mosadi to feed the ball into a dangerous area in the 11th minute for teammate Phumlani Ntshangase.
The midfielder took a shot that hit an opposition player and went out of play.
Wits were stationed in the opposition half for much of the opening quarter, pummelling AmaTuks with successive attacks.
Vilakazi again was the architect of a move on the flank that ending in Motshwari having clear sight on goal in the 16th minute.
However, AmaTuks goalkeeper Washington Arubi collected the ball after a heavy first touch.
Wits goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs was a mere spectator within the first half hour with the home side posing little threat in the box.
AmaTuks managed to get close to the box in the 28th minute after a thunderous free-kick from Geoffrey Massa on the edge of the box that blazed agonisingly wide of the target.
AmaTuks eventually made headway into the Wits box through Mosadi, who failed to punish Wits with a quick pass into the box, with Massa lurking unmarked in the area in the 36th minute.
Wits veteran striker Henrico Botes used his ingenuity to break free of his marker Siyabonga Shoyisa to whip in a cross that sailed over his teammates.
As the second half opened, the university clubs started tentatively in the scorching Tshwane sun, with few chances up until 10 minutes into play.
Wits attacking midfielder Jabulani Shongwe breached the AmaTuks defensive wall when he was left one-on-one with goalkeeper Arubi.
However, the Zimbabwean keeper made a superb save at close range in the 56th minute.
Striker Thabo Mnyamane nicked the ball from Wits defender Buhle Mkhwanazi and powered into the box.
Nevertheless, Mkhwanazi recovered well to make up ground in going for a goal-saving tackle in the 62nd minute.
As the encounter eclipsed the hour mark and the heat taking its toll, signs of sluggishness started to appear from both teams.
In the 81st minute Wits winger Sameehg Doutie failed to capitalise on a mistake by defender Grant Kekana when he drove into the box but his cross was intercepted by Shoyisa.
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