Kaizer Chiefs and defending PSL Champions Mamelodi Sundowns played to a goalless draw at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon, in what was a must win match for both teams. The game was for the most part uneventful with both teams lacking much enterprise going forward, as real goal scoring chances were few and far between.

Chiefs were dealt an early blow in the game when midfielder Siyabonga Nkosi was stretched off inside the first ten minutes of the game, at a time when he was beginning to show a number of sublime touches.

The game though started off at a high tempo with Nkosi putting the Sundowns defence under pressure early on as he won a corner for Chiefs as early as the first minute. As soon as Nkosi left proceedings, after being roughed up by Sundowns Esrom Nyandoro, it was clear that without the heart beat of their midfield, The Amakhosi were really going to be up against it.

In a half that saw little action in either 18 yard area, Shaun Bartlett had a shy at goal in the third minute of the game, his shot sailed high and wide over Marlin’s goal. Sundowns had perhaps the best chance of the first half, when just past the half hour mark, Surprise Moriri who by his high standards, had a poor game in his only real contribution of the match, sent in a cross from the left which Jose Torrealba flicked goal wards and would have sound its intended target, had it not been for Amakhosi defender Patrick Mayo who came across and headed the ball to safety.

In the second half it was Sundowns who drew first blood as substitute Josta Dladla worked his way into the Chiefs penalty area, down the right and made Rowen Fernandez work hard with a shot that went across the face of the goal. Next it was the turn of Chiefs as Gert Schalkwyk who came on as a substitute for the injured Nkosi, weaved a web around a number of Sundowns players before unleashing a shot which sailed agonizingly just over Calvin Marlin’s upright.

As the half panned out it seemed as though both teams were looking more and more content with a draw, Sundowns final chance of the afternoon came the way of striker Lunigsani Ndlela. The former SuperSport striker, on as a second half substitute, was able to turn Cyril Nzama inside out and took a pot shot only to find Rowen Fernandez waiting to collect the ball with open arms.

With five minutes to go Chiefs Ugandan playmaker David Obua could have written his name in lights after being played into space, by a defence splitting pass from Ditheko Mototo which deceived the Sundowns back line. Obua with a number of options available to him opted to shoot for goal and skied the ball high and over, without giving Calvin Marlin much work.

In the end it was not the result that either team was looking for nor one that either would be happy with at the present time. It was made clear by both coaches after the game that they were not overjoyed with the way the game played itself out. For Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp the challenge now is to rally his troops together, and get them motivated for next Saturday evenings SAA Supa8 Cup Final against SuperSport United in Durban. Victory over SuperSport will be the right tonic to give The Amakhosi the necessary boost to get their title aspirations back in the express lane.

Line Up’s:

Kaizer Chiefs: 1. R. Fernandez, 4. C. Nzama, 6. F. McCarthy, 21. P. Mayo,

33. D. Mototo, 2. J. Tau, 11. E. Ngobese, 12. T. Mooki (18. Zwane 46 min), 10. S. Nkosi (25. Schalkwyk 13 min), 17.S. Bartlett (13. Obua 72 min), 7. K. Motaung Jnr


Substitutes: 16. R. Wuest, 27. G. Sibeko, 18. A. Zwane, 13. D. Obua, 22. R. Kilambe,

31. D. Radebe, 25. G. Schalkwyk


Coach: Ernst Middendorp

Mamelodi Sundowns: 69. C. Marlin, 14. S. Moriri (6. Mnguni 76 min), 3. E. Nyandoro, 5. M. Mabizela 30. V. Mere, 66. D. Kannemeyer, 8. L. Chabangu, 19. B. Mhlongo,

25. M. Manzini, 17. T. Arendse (9. Dladla 46 min), 7. J. Torrealba (13. Ndlela 60 min)


Substitutes: 99. B. Baloyi, 23. P. Ndlovu, 10. G. Sapula, 2. O. Ntwagae, 13. L. Ndlela,

6. B. Mnguni, 9. J. Dladla


Coach: Gordon Ingesund

Officials: Referee: D. Bennett


Assistant 1:Toko Malebo


Assistant 2: Shaheem Salot


4th Official: Paulo Marquez


Match Commissioner: Adeel Carelse