In their rehearsal match that was played at the Tshitungulwane grounds on Sunday, Muziafera Blue Eagles rose to the occasion and held Rospa United to a goalless draw.

It was a second disappointment for the United fans in a row, after their team lost 0-3 to Baroka FC in their friendly match at the Jane Furse Stadium in Sekhukhune the previous day.

As if they were campaigning in the same division, Blue Eagles managed to match their elder brothers pound for pound in all departments. The absence of Happy Mahuntsi in the Eagles striking force was evident from the onset as there was no one to keep the United defence running for cover.

Blue Eagles threatened to score in the 18th minute. The former Rospa United midfielder, Shandukani Mukoma, went loose from the middle of the park and lost possession on the brink of unleashing from the edge of the box. The United overlapping midfielders, Samuel Mohloa and Zweli Zwane, initiated some promising dual moves from behind, but Zwane caused an upset by shooting straight to the keeper from close range.

United introduced Katlego Nkhumane and Pfunzo Dzwuguda  for Tumelo Moeti and Tapelo Mabuza respectively in the 39th minute. The United keeper, Khathalani Chauke, was put to the test three minutes into the last half. Lindelani Muavha tried his luck from the 35-meter area with a volley. Chauke made his presence felt by stretching to the limit to palm the ball away for a corner kick.

In their desperate search for goals, United effected more changes to their starting lineup later in the second half, but that did not change the complexion of the game. Blue Eagles were all over United in the last 20 minutes of the game, but their strikers were unlucky. Phindulo Sadiki of Blue Eagles was brought down outside the box in the dying minutes, but the referee remained silent.