It was a match neither team wanted to lose and it showed in the way that they came out and played at the Absa Stadium on Wednesday evening, as The Amakhosi and Mamelodi Sundowns played to an interesting and action packed goalless draw. Chiefs were in search of their first win over Sundowns since the 15th February 2005 and were out to avoid a repeat of last seasons result when Sundowns defeated them 2-1 at the Vodacom Loftus Stadium in Tshwane. Chiefs though were frustrated in the first half and relied on some good defensive work from their back four, who kept the Sundowns attack out although the second half was a different affair. With both teams throwing caution some what to the wind as they went all out for the win, Chiefs came close to finding a goal through Kaizer Motaung Junior during a period of play from the 65th minute to the 80th minute which they controlled but was thwarted in his attempt by Brian Baloyi.

Stern stuff

Chiefs first half was characterized by some strong and stern defending they were particularly busy on the right Sundowns right wing, but a combination of Onismor Bhasera and Fabian McCarthy were able to effectively deal with the Sundowns threat. Josta Dladla was not given the opportunity to run wild on the flank and Onismor Bhasera let him know this with a well timed sliding tackle to get the ball off him in the 12th minute, 13 minutes later and after Dladla was eventually able to get past he could not get past Fabian McCarthy on the edge of the area. Who was there to cut out his cross which was intended for Apataki lurking inside the Chiefs six yard box.

Little chance

Chances in the first half were few and far between Sundowns shaded Chiefs with shots on target, as they managed to get one chance in on goal five minutes before half time as Lerato Chabangu shot from distance through a crowded Chiefs penalty area but Itumeleng Khune tracked the ball and made the save. Chiefs best chance of the half came after some good work from Siphiwe Tshabalala in the 25th minute, the tricky Chiefs midfielder rode a two footed challenge from Acuna he got the ball to Nzama. Who in turn knocked the ball over the Sundowns defence for Shaun Bartlett who let the ball bounce before hitting it on the volley, while Bartlett made good contact with the ball he could not find the target and his shot went wide of Balyoi’s right hand up right.

Oh so close

The early exchanges in the second half were similar to what happened in the first as both teams probed for a way through, Thabo Mooki eventually found one in the 65th minute as he beat the Sundowns defence down the right. He tried sending the ball in towards Siphiwe Tshabalala at as Tshabalala ran towards the ball, Vuyo Mere ran in and cleared the ball for a corner. In the 72nd minute two Chiefs substitutes Thuso Phala and Kaizer Junior got together to conjure up a chance as Phala collected header from Kaizer Junior, he returned the favour by sending a defence splitting pass back to Kaizer Junior who collected the ball and tried to push it pass Brian Baloyi who was sprawled along the ground but managed to stick a hand out and grabbed the ball.

Sundowns surge

Inside the final ten minutes of the match Sundowns pushed for a winner and came close to one on eighty minutes, Itumeleng Khune though came up with the a big save as he pushed Josta Dladla’s curling angled free kick from the left over the bar with one hand. Four minutes from time and Josta Dladla from the right sent a cross field ball to Surprise Moriri who met the ball with his head but it went straight to Khune who managed to make an easy save.

Match Information:

Kaizer Chiefs: (4-3-2-1) 32. Itumeleng Khune, 2. Jimmy Tau, 3. Onismor Bhasera, 4. Cyril Nzama, 6. Fabian McCarthy, 8. Tinashe Nengomasha, 14. Siphiwe Tshabalala, 12. Thabo Mooki, 18. Arthur Zwane, 27. Gerald Sibeko, 17. Shaun Bartlett

Substitutions:

In: 26. Thuso Phala Out: 18. Arthur Zwane 58 min


In: 5. Mabhudi Khenyeza Out: 27. Gerald Sibeko 64 min


In: 7. Kaizer Motaung Junior Out: 17. Shaun Bartlett 64 min

Cautions: Yellow Cards 7. Kaizer Motaung Junior (hacked down Oscar Ntwagae from behind) 71 min

Substitutes not used: 1. Markus Bocsker, 13. David Obua, 33. Ditheko Mototo, 29. Moketi Tsotetsi

Coach: Muhsin Ertugral


Assistant Coach: Fani Madida


Goalkeeper Coach: Rainer Dinkelacker

Mamelodi Sundowns: (4-4-2) 91. Brian Baloyi, 3. Esrom Nyandoro, 21. Brent Carelse, 30. Vuyo Mere, 4. Oscar Ntwagae, 6. Jorge Acuna Ancha, 9. Josta Dladla, 19. Benson Mhlongo, 8. Lerato Chabangu, 89. Patrick Apataki Kifu, 5. Mbulelo Mabizela

Substitutions:

In: 23. Peter Ndlovu Out: 89. Patrick Apataki Kifu 56 min


In: 14. Surprise Moriri Out: 21. Brent Carelse 61 min

Substitutes not used: 1. Calvin Marlin, 7. Manqoba Ngwenya, 25. Michael Manzini, 66. David Kannemeyer, 5. Mbulelo Mabizela

Cautions: Yellow Cards 6. Jorge Acuna Ancha (under garment different color to shorts), 28 min, 24. Shere Lekgothoane (time wasting 83 min), 30. Vuyo Mere (time wasting) 85 min

Coach: Gordon Ingesund


Assistant Coach: Trott Moloto


Goalkeeper Coach: Alex Hereida

Match Officials:

Referee: Mahlomola Jonas Nhlapho


Assistant 1: Lazarus Matela


Assistant 2: Geronimo Piedt


4th Official: Yusuf Vawda


Match Commissioner: Steve Goddard