Caution: Evans, Selolwane,

Kaizer Chiefs lost some ground in the Absa Premiership race when they were held to a goalless draw by Ajax Cape Town in an entertaining draw played in front of a packed Athlone Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Despite the draw the Glamour boys moved to third position in the Absa Premiership log with 30 points, at least for few hours depending on the result between Orlando Pirates and strugglers, Bay United. Orlando Pirates are on 29 points with a game on hand.

Kaizer Chiefs coach, Muhsin Ertugral had made four changes on the squad that played against Maritzburg United last weekend bringing Ibe Zito Ogbonna in the place of David Mathebula, Mokete Tsotetsi came in for injured Thabang Rooi while hard working, Onismor Bhasera replaced youngster, Punch Masenamela.

Goalkeeper, Emille Baron got his second start in the league this season replacing injured Itumeleng Khune.

The Glamour Boys searching for their fourth win in a row made their intentions clear as early as first minute when Ibe Zito Ogbonna’ volley went just over the bar after Ajax defence failed to deal with Siphiwe Tshabalala’s cross.

The Amakhosi were in the thick of things again minutes later when Kaizer Motaung close range shot was saved by Andre Petim. This was following a super piece of work from his teammate, Abia Nale who was once again having a superb afternoon.

With action swinging in both sides, Ajax Cape Town should have scored when defender, Mokete Tsotetsi lost the ball in a dangerous position but Emille Baron reacted fast to thwart the danger. The former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper once again proved on why he is highly rated by his peers when he pulled a superb save denying youngster, Sameegh Doutie.

Then Botswana international, Depsey Selolwane had his fierce shot way outside the 18 area going just over Emille Baron’s polls.

Ajax Cape Town clawing their way back into the game came close breaking the deadlock twice when first, Franklin Cale square pass found the Sameegh Doute in the box but the youngster was let down by his first touch allowing Chiefs defence to clear for corner. In a resultant corner, Eduardo Ferreira rose to the highest to head Cale’s corner, but his header went wide.

The hosts did come strongly towards the end of first half but found hard to break Chiefs defence marshalled by Mokete Tsotetsi.

Half-time score, 0-0 at Athlone.

Muhsin Ertugral introduced Reneilwe Letsholonyane in a place of Ibe Zito Ogbonna to stabilise the midfield where Ajax were causing problems. The move paid rewards as the Amakhosi started to control possession of the ball and they could have scored through Abia Nale at 79th minute when the latter shot from tight angle was saved by Andre Petim.

The best chance of the game came at the 87th minute when Kaizer Motaung Jr beat Clint Daniels on the ball, but with only Andre Petim his shot came off the post.

At the end of the day a point away from home was not a bad result for the Glamour Boys who have collected 10 points in four games in January.

The Glamour Boys will now meet Soweto rivals, Moroka Swallows at Loftus next Saturday. Kick off for the game will be at 20h00.

Chiefs: Baron, Matle, Bhasera, Quartey, Tsotetsi, Nengomasha, Zwane (Bulu 85), Ogbonna (Letsholonyane 59), Nale, Motaung Jr., Tshabalala

Substitutes not used: Mabena, Mooki, Nahayo, Ntuka, Mathebula

Technical Team

Muhsin Ertugral (Head Coach)


Fani Madida (Assistant Coach)


Rainer Dinkelacker (Goalkeeper Coach)


Elsa Storm (Fitness Trainer)

Ajax: Petim, Allie, Ferrera, Daniels, Evans, Shabalala (Ngobeni 77), Doute, Selolwane, Masel (Scott 73), Vilakazi, Cale

Substitutes not used: Roberts, Carelse, Mokoro, Alexander, October

Technical Team

Craig Rosslee (Head Coach)


Wilfred Mugeyi (Assistant Coach)


Marc Grune (Goalkeeper Coach)


Lorenzo Meyer (Physiotherapist)


Brian Van Der Heever

Match Officials

Daniel Bennett (Referee)


Enock Molefe (1st Assistant)


Geronimo Piedt (2nd Assistant)


Faiek Daniels (4th Official)


Ian McLeod (Match Commissioner)