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Goalless draw kicks off weekend action in the Premier Soccer League

Benni McCarthy, head coach of Cape Town City reacts to the referee's decision Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

A busy weekend of action in South Africa's Premier Soccer League began in unconvincing fashion on Friday as Maritzburg United and MTN8 cup winners Cape Town City played out a goalless draw at the Harry Gwala Stadium.

The result means both clubs have won only once in the new league campaign - Maritzburg in seven games and City in eight.

Both sides now also have seven points, still stuck in the bottom five places on the league table.

For City, clad in an unfamiliar all yellow away strip, it was their third game inside six days. They won the cup title last Saturday in Durban by beating SuperSport United on penalties then lost 2-0 at home by log leaders Bidvest Wits on Tuesday.

Bradley Ralani had the best chance to secure all three points in the last 16 minutes but hit his effort from a tight angle into the side netting, which means City have not scored in their last three games.

City defender Taariq Fielies, only just back after serving a two match suspension for a red card against Kaizer Chiefs, was booked and with four cautions now in the season with be suspended again when City next play - which will be in the first round of the Telkom Knockout later this month.

Saturday's action in the league includes a rare game behind closed doors as Kaizer Chiefs host Polokwane City in Durban.

Chiefs are being forced to play the match at the cavernous Moses Mabhida Stadium without spectators as punishment for riots last season at the same venue when their fans went on the rampage after losing to Free State Stars in cup action.

Chiefs coach Giovanni Solinas said he feared the impact playing without any support would have on his players.

Chiefs sit in third place in the standings, having overcome a slows start to the season.