Kruger United have earned their first point in the Betway Premiership after they held Marumo Gallants 0-0 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Village Boys, who were beaten by Kaizer Chiefs in the opening round of league fixtures, will take confidence from this stalemate, while Bahlabane ba Ntwa will also be satisfied with getting on the board in their opening match (their originally scheduled opener against Mamelodi Sundowns earlier this month was postponed).
Gallants enjoyed the majority of possession through the first half, though Kruger actually had the better chances initially, with Sphiwe Mahlangu and Tatenda Tavengwa both going close to giving the visitors the lead.
Nonetheless, the hosts remained patient and earned a penalty late in the first half, thanks to a hand-ball from Sidney Fakude.
Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo stepped up to the spot, but saw his effort saved by goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou, leaving the scoreline blank heading into the interval.
Kruger continued to look dangerous after the restart, with Aphiwe Mpothe striking an effort from just outside the box that flashed over the crossbar in the 58th minute, while Gallants’ Samkele Sihlali looked set to score a couple of minutes later but saw his effort blocked.
The remainder of the match saw the teams continue to cancel each other out, though Kruger suffered a blow late on when Thendo Mukumela picked up his second yellow card and was dismissed.
The teams will return to Premiership action this coming weekend, with Gallants away to Stellenbosch FC on Friday 14 August, and Kruger visiting Milford FC the following day.
Marumo Gallants 0
Kruger United 0
Gallants: Mlambo, Ntiya-Ntiya (Sikhosana 87’), Sikakane, Rikhotso, Lukhele, Ndlovu (Manaka 87’), Ndlondlo, Mabuza, Dhludhlu (Otladisa 66’), Sihlali (Button 66’), Mbhele
Kruger: Dandjinou, Fakude, Mngonyama, Mohamme (Sereets 76’), Mukumela, Seedat, Nel, Tavengwa (Makhubela 46’), Mahlangu (Ndlovu 46’), Mphothe, Ozil (Zwane 76’)