Posted in News on Oct 29, 2016.
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates played to a goalless draw in an Absa Premiership match at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The match, however, showed that draws don’t need to be boring, as it was an absorbing encounter with both teams getting numerous chances.
Keagan Buchanan was handed his starting debut for the Amakhosi, replacing Lucky Baloyi who got the nod a week ago in the cup fixture against Maritzburg United.
The fit again Ramahlwe Mphahlele returned to the team ahead of Kgotso Moleko.
The Buccaneers, meanwhile, had to make a late change to their starting line-up when Luvuyo Memela had to be withdrawn after the warm-up. He was replaced by Riyaad Norodien.
Chiefs started well, stringing some good combinations together in midfield and this resulted in an early chance for Michelle Katsvairo in the 7th minute. But the Zimbabwean striker’s header, after an excellent cross from Sibusiso Khumalo, failed to hit the target.
It was scorching hot at the FNB Stadium. However, this didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the supporters, who were making noise throughout the game.
Pirates got two fine opportunities to score in the first half. The first was a free kick, taken by Mpho Makola. But his shot went just wide of goal. Thereafter, it was Thabo Rakhale who went one-on-one with Itumeleng Khune, who made a superb save.
The best goal scoring opportunity, however, arrived during injury time in the first half, when Hendrick Ekstein got a shot at goal from close range. But the skilful midfielder failed to volley the ball on target. Instead, the ball was powered over the crossbar.
The second half started more or less like the first with both teams being very competitive. An early chance came Pirates’ way, but Gift Motupa couldn’t hit the target.
Chiefs’ central defence duo of Lorenzo Gordinho and Erick Mathoho were again doing well, while both Khumalo and Mphahlele made some telling runs forward. Especially Mphahlele had an outstanding match.
Willard Katsande, meanwhile, was his bustling self in midfield, winning numerous battles.
The game was flowing up and down. Edward Manqele and Siphiwe Tshabalala were introduced relatively early in the second half with the intention to find the back of the net.
And it was Tshabalala that nearly scored with a thunderous drive from outside the box. The Pirates goalkeeper, however, managed to block the ball from going in with a desperate fully stretched dive to his left.
Chiefs became stronger the more the match progressed in the second half with another chance coming George Lebese’s way, but the ball went straight at the goalkeeper.
In the end, it finished goalless, but it was an interesting clash which kept the crowd on their toes until the final whistle of referee Victor Gomes.
Thanks to the draw the Glamour Boys returned to the top of the Absa Premiership log with 14 points from 7 matches.
Amakhosi next host Baroka FC at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday, 2 November 2016 (kick-off is at 18:30).
Orlando Pirates 0
Kaizer Chiefs 0
Orlando Pirates:
Kaizer Chiefs: Khune; Mphahlele, Mathoho, Gordinho, Khumalo; Twala (Tshabalala 67’), Katsande, Buchanan, Lebese (Parker 86’); Ekstein, Katsvairo (Manqele 58’)
