Mamelodi Sundowns dropped points but were fortunate to avoid defeat as they played out a goalless draw with Ajax Cape Town last night and now have a slim four-point lead at the head of the Absa Premiership.
Sundowns inched up to 59 points while Wits sit on 55 with the two frontrunners still to go head-to-head next month. They are now the only two sides that can win the league title.
Ajax, with just a single victory in their last eight outings, should have had two goals in the first half with two superb chances, both squandered.
The first came after just 11 minutes with Sundowns turning over possession to allow a swift set of attacking passes from Ajax that saw Erwin Isaacs set up Prince Nxumalo straight in front of the goal, only for Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango to make a miraculous point blank save.
Twenty minutes later there was an even better opportunity but Isaacs missed from almost under the crossbar.
It took Sundowns until the 44th minute to get their first effort on goal when Leonardo Castro headed over from a free kick.
A thumping free kick from Hlompho Kekana hit the outside of Ajax's upright bar.
Sundowns looked a lot better in the second half, despite some key players looking jaded, but they were restricted to half chances. Ajax seemed to have exhausted their energies in the opening stanza.
A powerful header for Bangaly Soumahoro in the 72nd minute forced a fine save from Anssi Jaakkola in the Ajax goal and Keagan Dolly had a chance from a difficult angle soon after.
But both sides petered out in the end and a draw seemed a convivial outcome. l ORLANDO Pirates could not get themselves into anywhere near their top gear and had to settle for a 0-0 Absa Premiership draw against Polokwane City at FNB Stadium last night, reports Marc Strydom.
After the intensity of their weekend Nedbank Cup quarterfinal heroics against Sundowns, Pirates struggled to find momentum in unfamiliar home surroundings.
Bucs' home venue, Orlando Stadium, was unavailable because it had to be left vacant four days before Saturday's Economic Freedom Fighters manifesto launch at the stadium.
Bucs had wanted to win their last five games to push for a top three place, but could not lift themselves to overcome Julio Leal's game City.
The visitors forced some good saves out of Bucs keeper Brighton Mhlongo, who dealt comfortably with left-back Simphiwe Hlongwane's dipping volley.
Mhlongo later parried Thobani Mncwango's well-struck free-kick and followed up with a last minute save from the City leading scorer.
Ajax tame Downs
Mamelodi Sundowns dropped points but were fortunate to avoid defeat as they played out a goalless draw with Ajax Cape Town last night and now have a slim four-point lead at the head of the Absa Premiership.
Sundowns inched up to 59 points while Wits sit on 55 with the two frontrunners still to go head-to-head next month. They are now the only two sides that can win the league title.
Ajax, with just a single victory in their last eight outings, should have had two goals in the first half with two superb chances, both squandered.
The first came after just 11 minutes with Sundowns turning over possession to allow a swift set of attacking passes from Ajax that saw Erwin Isaacs set up Prince Nxumalo straight in front of the goal, only for Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango to make a miraculous point blank save.
Twenty minutes later there was an even better opportunity but Isaacs missed from almost under the crossbar.
It took Sundowns until the 44th minute to get their first effort on goal when Leonardo Castro headed over from a free kick.
A thumping free kick from Hlompho Kekana hit the outside of Ajax's upright bar.
Sundowns looked a lot better in the second half, despite some key players looking jaded, but they were restricted to half chances. Ajax seemed to have exhausted their energies in the opening stanza.
A powerful header for Bangaly Soumahoro in the 72nd minute forced a fine save from Anssi Jaakkola in the Ajax goal and Keagan Dolly had a chance from a difficult angle soon after.
But both sides petered out in the end and a draw seemed a convivial outcome. l ORLANDO Pirates could not get themselves into anywhere near their top gear and had to settle for a 0-0 Absa Premiership draw against Polokwane City at FNB Stadium last night, reports Marc Strydom.
After the intensity of their weekend Nedbank Cup quarterfinal heroics against Sundowns, Pirates struggled to find momentum in unfamiliar home surroundings.
Bucs' home venue, Orlando Stadium, was unavailable because it had to be left vacant four days before Saturday's Economic Freedom Fighters manifesto launch at the stadium.
Bucs had wanted to win their last five games to push for a top three place, but could not lift themselves to overcome Julio Leal's game City.
The visitors forced some good saves out of Bucs keeper Brighton Mhlongo, who dealt comfortably with left-back Simphiwe Hlongwane's dipping volley.
Mhlongo later parried Thobani Mncwango's well-struck free-kick and followed up with a last minute save from the City leading scorer.
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