Posted in News on Oct 20, 2015.
Kaizer Chiefs and Jomo Cosmos played to an entertaining goalless draw in an Absa Premiership game at the Olen Park Stadium on Tuesday evening. Both sides got some good chances to score, but a draw was probably a fair result.
Cosmos didn’t come out just to defend, although they did play their usual rough style of soccer.
The home side had more ball possession during the first ten minutes of the game, but Amakhosi tried to get the upper hand thereafter.
Chiefs got some good opportunities during the first half, especially Erick Mathoho (a header from a set-piece) and Reneilwe Letsholonyane (a shot from inside Cosmos’ box), but the ball failed to end up in the back of the net.
Amakhosi did score a goal, but it was rules offside. However, it could have been a beauty. Edward Manqele received the ball slightly to the right of the Cosmos goal. Manqele controlled the ball in the air with his right foot, before slotting it past the Ezenkosi goalkeeper. It’s a pity that the ball didn’t count, if only because of the quality of the finish.
There was a lot of too easy loss of ball possession on both sides, mostly as a result of some sloppy passing. On the other hand, the battle in the centre of the park was highly competitive. There was some good work in midfield from Willard Katsande, Letsholonyane and Tshabalala.
Tsepo Masilela was going up and down the right flank, while Letsholonyane’s ball distribution was again superb at times.
Barely five minutes into the second half, Manqele got a fine chance to open the score, but his shot at goal was brilliantly saved by Cosmos goalkeeper Sherwin Naicker.
Chiefs was trying to dictate play a bit more in the second half, putting pressure on the goal of the home side.
Cosmos, however, had their own chances, but Amakhosi goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse was always alert, making some fine saves as well.
There was a good atmosphere at the packed Olen Park Stadium, with, as usual, most supporters being Chiefs supporters, who had come out in great numbers.
The visitors probably had more chances to score the winner, but, to be fair, Ezenkosi had their own opportunities. The game could as well have ended in a score like 3-3, instead of a goalless draw.
It wasn’t a great game from a purely football point of view, but it was certainly enjoyable match to watch, despite the lack of goals.
Amakhosi have now 11 points from 7 games played and are in fifth position on the Absa Premiership log.
Chiefs’ next game is on the road against Mpumalanga Black Aces for the Telkom Knockout quarterfinal at Nelspruit’s Mbombela Stadium on Saturday evening, 24 October (kick-off is at 18:00).
Kaizer Chiefs 0
Jomo Cosmos 0
Kaizer Chiefs: Pieterse; Gaxa, Mathoho, Bukenya, Masilela; Manqele (Maluleka 86’), Katsande, Letsholonyane, Tshabalala; Parker (Lebese 70’), Abraw (Mthembu 85’)
Jomo Cosmos: Naicker; Lingwati, Mthembu, Nsabiyumva, captain, Jampies; Mokobela, Macaphu, Monare (Sono 79’), Zulu; Maluleka (Mntambo 67’), Mashumba
Cosmos didn’t come out just to defend, although they did play their usual rough style of soccer.
The home side had more ball possession during the first ten minutes of the game, but Amakhosi tried to get the upper hand thereafter.
Chiefs got some good opportunities during the first half, especially Erick Mathoho (a header from a set-piece) and Reneilwe Letsholonyane (a shot from inside Cosmos’ box), but the ball failed to end up in the back of the net.
Amakhosi did score a goal, but it was rules offside. However, it could have been a beauty. Edward Manqele received the ball slightly to the right of the Cosmos goal. Manqele controlled the ball in the air with his right foot, before slotting it past the Ezenkosi goalkeeper. It’s a pity that the ball didn’t count, if only because of the quality of the finish.
There was a lot of too easy loss of ball possession on both sides, mostly as a result of some sloppy passing. On the other hand, the battle in the centre of the park was highly competitive. There was some good work in midfield from Willard Katsande, Letsholonyane and Tshabalala.
Tsepo Masilela was going up and down the right flank, while Letsholonyane’s ball distribution was again superb at times.
Barely five minutes into the second half, Manqele got a fine chance to open the score, but his shot at goal was brilliantly saved by Cosmos goalkeeper Sherwin Naicker.
Chiefs was trying to dictate play a bit more in the second half, putting pressure on the goal of the home side.
Cosmos, however, had their own chances, but Amakhosi goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse was always alert, making some fine saves as well.
There was a good atmosphere at the packed Olen Park Stadium, with, as usual, most supporters being Chiefs supporters, who had come out in great numbers.
The visitors probably had more chances to score the winner, but, to be fair, Ezenkosi had their own opportunities. The game could as well have ended in a score like 3-3, instead of a goalless draw.
It wasn’t a great game from a purely football point of view, but it was certainly enjoyable match to watch, despite the lack of goals.
Amakhosi have now 11 points from 7 games played and are in fifth position on the Absa Premiership log.
Chiefs’ next game is on the road against Mpumalanga Black Aces for the Telkom Knockout quarterfinal at Nelspruit’s Mbombela Stadium on Saturday evening, 24 October (kick-off is at 18:00).
Kaizer Chiefs 0
Jomo Cosmos 0
Kaizer Chiefs: Pieterse; Gaxa, Mathoho, Bukenya, Masilela; Manqele (Maluleka 86’), Katsande, Letsholonyane, Tshabalala; Parker (Lebese 70’), Abraw (Mthembu 85’)
Jomo Cosmos: Naicker; Lingwati, Mthembu, Nsabiyumva, captain, Jampies; Mokobela, Macaphu, Monare (Sono 79’), Zulu; Maluleka (Mntambo 67’), Mashumba
