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Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Merreikh could not be separated at the Al Salam Stadium after playing to a goalless draw on Saturday afternoon.
CAF Champions League
Result: Al Merreikh 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 19 February 2022
Venue: Al Salam Stadium
The Brazilians made two changes to the side that was held by Baroka, as new signing Erwin Saavedra handed his first start in place of the injured Pavol Safranko while Rivaldo Coetzee was recalled, with Teboho Mokoena dropping to the bench.
Themba Zwane almost gave Sundowns a perfect start after he was played through on goal by Peter Shalulile at the near post but he was denied by goalkeeper Monged Abuzaid at point-blank range.
The visitors continued to create chances, as Khuliso Mudau had a big opportunity to give the Brazilians the lead in the 18th minute after latching onto a poor back pass to go clear on goal on the right side but he scooped his shot over the crossbar.
Masandawana were leaving a huge space behind and were nearly punished after 25 minutes as Al Merreikh’s Algozoli Hussien received a square pass unmarked in the six-yard box but his shot towards goal was cleared off the line by Brian Onyango.
However, Sundowns were dealt a blow midway through the half as Saavedra picked up a knock and was replaced by Thabiso Kutumela for the remainder of the half.
Al Merreikh were all over the Brazilians in the early stages of the second stanza, as Amir Suliman found the back of the net on the hour-mark with a great strike into the bottom corner but his goal was disallowed for offside.
Sundowns made a tactical change four minutes later, as Kermit Erasmus replaced Bradley Ralani as the visitors continued to weather the storm, looking to pounce with the pace of the likes of Kutumela and Erasmus upfront.
Kutumela had a chance to break the deadlock for Masandawana in the last quarter of an hour after cutting towards goal on the edge of the box but his curling strike missed wide of the post.
The home side had the attacking momentum in the closing minutes but the Brazilians almost stole it at the death, as Kutumela fired a strike from a scramble in the box just wide and the sides shared the spoils.
Sundowns remain top in Group A ahead of next weekend’s clash against Al Ahly while Al-Merreikh got their first point in their first match.
Here’s how they started:
Sundowns: D.Onyango, Coetzee, B. Onyango, De Reuck, Lakay, Jali, Mudau, Ralani, Zwane, Saavedra, Shalulile.
Subs: Mweene, Morena, Modiba, Mvala, Kekana, Mokoena, Kapinga, Kutumela, Erasmus