Pitso defends his cautious tactics

In a sizzling atmosphere in front of 70 000-or-so fans, this was a long way from a dull stalemate, with both sides missing opportunities to get the three points.

Masandawana, however, were a bit less gung-ho than usual, wary of the threat provided by an Amakhosi side that certainly look to have improved in the New Year.

READ: Pitso happy with Sundowns display

In the end, the league leaders maintained their five-point lead over Chiefs in a title race that is growing more intriguing by the week.

“For me it is just to show respect to Kaizer Chiefs,” said Mosimane afterwards.

“Sometimes I look at (Floyd) Mayweather fighting and he didn’t have to go toe-to-toe with everybody but he retired undefeated, so is he a good boxer?

“We had to keep Shabba (Siphiwe Tshabalala) busy and make sure we closed down George (Maluleka) and young Ryan (Moon) – he is good.

“For me it was a good tactical move (to be more cautious), it might come back and bite me, to get a draw against Chiefs, but you can’t say we didn’t try to score. Man City went toe-to-toe against Liverpool at Anfield and they lost. They would have taken a point. Sometimes it is not about you trying to win every game, so I am happy with a point … when we play Champions League we play like this, that is why we have a star on top of our badge.”

READ: Komphela explains late substitutions

Sundowns came the closest to scoring when Percy Tau struck the post and substitute Jeremy Brockie’s follow-up was tipped on to the crossbar by Itumeleng Khune. Chiefs, however, also had their opportunities, particularly in a first half in which they were the better side.

Amakhosi can be fairly content to have taken four points this season from the side that are favourites to win the Premiership title.

“I think from my side it would be more regret than disappointment,” said Chiefs coach Steve Komphela on his feelings after Saturday’s game.

“They (Sundowns) are a good side …. we would have loved to win it … the players did very well they tried their best, they did create chances, it is just that they couldn’t score.”