Kaizer Chiefs missed out on the opportunity to ascend to the top of the league table after playing to a goalless draw against Vasco Da Gama in an Absa Premiership clash at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.

Vasco played deep for most of the game and looked to hit Chiefs on the counterattack, which meant the Chiefs keeper Itumeleng Khune was a mere observer in the game. Chiefs though dominated the statistics but were unable to make their dominance count and had to settle for a point.

Vasco had the first shot on target which was a tame shot from long range by Zeka Karkee almost fifteen minutes into the game Itumeleng Khune was able to easily pluck the ball out of the air.

After twenty minutes Mandla Masango linked up well with Mthokozisi Yende but Masango’s eventual shot from distance failed to hit the target, three minutes after that Lawrence Molekwane’s sweeping drive from around 25 yards from goal forced Vasco keeper Posnet Omony into punching the ball away.

While Chiefs had the upper hand in the possession stakes Vasco always looked dangerous in attack, just past the half hour mark their veteran attacker Sibusiso Zuma anaged to weave his way past three Chiefs defender on the left by line before sending in a cross towards goal, his good work did not count for much as there were no Vasco players lurking in the Chiefs danger zone.

Four minutes before halftime Yende a cheeky back heel from Yende found Masango who in turn chipped the ball over the Vaso defence, which put Abia Nale goal side as he a drove the ball goal wards Omony had stormed off his line narrowing his angle before eventually blocking the ball.

Nine minutes after the restart Khune tested for the first time in the game did well to save Keenin Leschs’ close range on his goal line, after the Vasco skipper had done well to make contact with a free kick sent in from the half way line.

The introduction of Stanton Lewis and Knowledge Musona came close to paying dividends on 73 minutes when a clever ball from the left by Musona found Lewis on the right edge of the Vasco 18 yard area.

Lewis played a neat side footed pass towards Sthembiso Ngcobo who slid as he attacked the ball, Ngcobo did make contact with a throw in from the right shortly thereafter his backward header forced Omony into making a two handed save on his goal line.

Vasco put up a brave defensive performance in the final minutes of the game, Yende’s late effort on goal was blocked by man of the match Moketi Tsotetsi, Chiefs were also let down by a series of incorrect decisions towards the end with a host of players not going for goal and instead choosing to lay off the ball when in good goalscoring positions.

Line Ups:

Vasco: 16. Omony, 4. Adams, 5. Isaacs, 23. Tsotetsi, 13. Lesch (2. Moloi 84’), 29. Jenniker, 20. Santo ( 14. Fransan 63’), 22. Alexander, 19. Karkee, 7. Kamwendo (15. Hendricks 90’), 10. Zuma

Cautions: 13. Lesch 49’, 29. Tsotetsi 82’

Coach: Carlos Das Neves

Chiefs: 32. Khune, 28. Molekwane, 13. Nahayo, 31. Masenamela, 3. Sweswe, 8. Nengomasha, 22. Masango (18. Lewis 61’), 6. Letsholonyane, 10. Yende, 11. Nale ( 21. Musona 61’), 7. Motaung (23. Ngcobo 72’)

Cautions: 7. Motuang JR. 37’, 8.Nengomasha 56’

Coach: Vladir Vermezovic


Assistant Coach: Donald ‘Ace’ Khuse


Goalkeeper Coach: Rainer Dinkelacker