The Soweto derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday afternoon, ended in a goalless draw, the second time this season that the archrivals have played out a 0-0 stalemate.

While the first meeting earlier this season was a dire game bereft of energy and invention, this match was a much livelier and more entertaining affair, featuring plenty of attacking football. Unfortunately neither side was able to get the better of their opponent’s defence.

Pirates came out of the blocks the quicker of the two teams and put Chiefs under a lot of pressure in defence, particularly down the right flank where Rooi Mahamutsa and Dikgang Mabalane were finding plenty of space.

However, it was Amakhosi who nearly got an early goal when Knowledge Musona sprinted clear of the Pirates backline, only for goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs to sprint off his line and make a good tackle on the speedy Zimbabwean.

On seven minutes Katlego Mashego forced Itumeleng Khune into his only real save of any note in the first half, firing off a low shot on the left foot that the young keeper smothered with his left hand.

After the Buccaneers’ strong start, Chiefs gradually began to find their rhythm and started to create chances. Just past the half-hour mark Musona headed wide of goal from a Josta Dladla free kick.

In the final few minutes before halftime, the Amakhosi created two great chances. First, Siphiwe Tshabalala failed to find the target with a header at the far post after a fantastic cross by Jimmy Tau.

Then Abia Nale held off a defender’s challenge in the penalty area but his final effort was neither shot nor cross and it trickled wide of goal and just beyond the reach of Dladla, who was arriving at the back post.

The pattern of the second half was similar to the first, with Pirates starting strongly only for Chiefs to improve and take control of the game as time went on.

Khune had to make two terrific reaction saves in succession just past the hour mark, twice denying Lucas Thwala headers that were both destined for the back of the net before the Amakhosi keeper’s interventions.

Kaizer Chiefs certainly looked the likelier winners in the final minutes and substitute Nkosinathi Nhleko almost broke the deadlock on 85 minutes, hitting the upright with a glancing header.

Chiefs move back up to third on the standings on 45 points, one ahead of Santos in fourth, with Pirates a further point back in fifth place and having played a game more than all of the top four.

Teams:

Pirates: (4-4-2) Josephs; Mahamutsa, Thwala, Makonese, Lekgwathi; Mabalane, Jali, Chansa, Chenene (Schalkwyk 72’); Mbuyane, Mashego

Chiefs: (4-4-2) Khune, Tau, Nahayo, Sweswe, Masenamela; Dladla (Masango 46’), Nengomasha, Letsholonyane, Tshabalala (Nhleko 65’); Nale, Musona