Charles Mopeli Stadium, Phuthaditjhaba

Saturday, 01 September 2012

Free State Stars 0

Kaizer Chiefs 0

Kaizer Chiefs were held to a goalless draw by Free State Stars in an exciting Premiership game watched by near capacity crowd at the Charles Mopeli Stadium in Phuthaditjaba on Saturday afternoon.

Once again the Amakhosi faithful came out in numbers wearing the colourful Club’s regalia, cheered the side throughout the game and they will be happy with the commitment shown by the players despite the side dropping their first points in the league season.

Head Coach Stuart Baxter had kept faith on the team that did business against Mamelodi Sundowns two weeks ago but it was Stars who saw most of the ball in the opening stages of the game.

It was Chiefs though who created the first opportunity of the game with Siyabonga Nkosi finding Kingston Nkhatha with a perfect pass in the 15th minute of the game but Kennedy Mweene did well to thwart the danger.

The Glamour Boys continued to dominate the game with Siyabonga Nkosi and Kingston Nkhatha causing all sorts of problems for the hosts in a game that was played in a windy and bumpy pitch witch made it difficult for Amakhosi to play their exciting brand of football.

In the 30th minute the visitors came close to opening scoring when Bernard Parker found Siphiwe Tshabalala with a well-planned free kick but the latter’s shot went just over the bar.

It was evident that Stars planned to catch the visitors on the break or set pieces, as they demonstrated that in the 34th minute when Leamoha Masehe rose above Chiefs defence but his header went just wide of Itumeleng Khune’s goals.

Despite Chiefs dominating the first half it was goalless at halftime.

In the second half Free State Stars tried to neutralize the visitors and had the first shot at goal with Katlego Mashego’s shot going just wide of Khune’s left upright.

Kingston Nkhatha was in the thick of things again three minutes later when he ballooned his shot following a superb play by Bernard Parker.

Then Itumeleng Khune reminded everyone why he is highly rated and currently Bafana Bafana’s no. 1 goalkeeper when he pulled a superb save in the 70th minute to deny striker, Moeketsi Mvula.

In the closing stages Chiefs dominated the game searching for the winner but the gallant and aggressive Stars continued to ‘park the bus’ to frustrate Chiefs’ attempts. Head Coach Stuart Baxter and his Technical Team will be pleased with the results and the discipline that their players demonstrated under the awkward playing conditions.

Meanwhile, the Club would like to announce that Tsepo Masilela underwent an appendicitis operation & will be out of action for a few weeks. “The operation went as expected and according to the Dr's he will be out for between 4-6 weeks” confirmed Team Physio, David Milner. The Club wished Tsepo a speedy recovery.

Chiefs: Khune, Gaxa, Jambo, Mashamaite, Mathoho, Nkosi, Letsholonyane, Dladla (Lebese 89), Nkatha (Majoro 72), Parker, Tshabalala

Subsitutes: Bartman, Ngcobo, Moleko, Lebese, Motaung JNR, Baloyi, Majoro

Head Coach: Stuart Baxter

Stars:Mweene, Sambu (Esterhuizen 93), Ouro-Akoriko, Masehe, Mashego, Wome, Cardoso, Nomandela, Wiltwer, Gege, Mvula (Berrian 88)

Substitutes: Motsoeneng, Mkhwanazi, Hlongwa, Berrian, Dondo, Esterhuizen, Chivuta

Head Coach: Steve Komphela

Match Officials

Referee: Victor Gomes; 1st Assistant: Emmanuel De Sani; 2ND Assistant: Luvuyo Pupuma; 4th Official: Thando Ndzandzeka; Match Official: Mark Lindon