Kaizer Chiefs and Polokwane City played to a goalless draw in an entertaining Absa Premiership clash at Polokwane’s Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday evening. The Amakhosi created numerous goal scoring opportunities, but failed to find the back of the net. Chiefs are still on top of the league log with 30 points from 12 matches.

Amakhosi coach Stuart Baxter made some changes to the starting line-up compared to last Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns. Bernard Parker, George Maluleka and Morgan Gould all came on, replacing Mandla Masango, Erick Mathoho (both started on the bench) and the suspended Reneilwe Letsholonyane.

Chiefs’ first goal scoring opportunity already arrived inside one minute, when Kingston Nkhatha shot at goal from close range, but the Polokwane City goalkeeper saved well, diving to his right.

It was an open game with both sides willing to attack. Polokwane City tried to pressurize early the Amakhosi players whenever in ball possession. But this didn’t stop Chiefs from creating chances, like in the 13th minute. However, Nkhatha’s head failed to connect properly with the ball.

Seven minutes later, Siphiwe Tshabalalala floated the ball through the air into the box from the right. Nkhatha went high up, but his header missed the target. Sadly, though, the Zimbabwean striker was hit in the action by the knee of City goalkeeper Modiri Marumo, which knocked him down. However, in the end, Nkhatha was able to continue.

The game was played at a nice pace with the Amakhosi slowly gaining the upper hand, taking charge of the midfield. Especially Maluleka looked lively in his first start after returning to full fitness after his injury problems.

In the 32nd minute a great opportunity arrived for Tshabalala but his shot from close range was blocked by a Polokwane defender. Six minutes later Nkhatha finally seemed to have found the back of the net after the Polokwane goalkeeper fumbled a high ball in the box. To the surprise of most watching the game, referee Victor Gomes decided that Nkhatha impeded Marumo. However, that didn’t seem to be the case. It looked as if Chiefs was denied a legitimate goal.

The first half ended like it started, goalless, despite the Amakhosi having the better of play and creating a few good chances.

The second half started like the first 45 minutes finished, with the Amakhosi creating chances to score. From the 50th minute, three opportunities arose inside the space of about a minute. However, twice George Lebese and Parker were unable to get the ball past the Polokwane goalkeeper.

On the other hand, Polokwane continued to play positive soccer as well, always attacking in numbers whenever having the opportunity, creating a few chances. The best arrived in the 60th minute for Esau Kanyenda, but Chiefs goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo saved excellently.

Meanwhile, Nkhatha was again in a superb position, his off-the-ball movement was very good, in Polokwane’s box to score after a fine low cross from Tshabalala from the right. However, the Zimbabwean failed to find the back of the net.

Chiefs coach Baxter opted for a double substitution in the 81st minute, bringing on Siphelele Mthembu (for Nkhatha) and Masango (for Lebese).

It continued to be an open game at a good pace. Meanwhile, Amakhosi goalkeeper Khuzwayo showed again why he has been called up by Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba as he made some brilliant saves.

In the end, both teams failed to score. It was the first time this season that Chiefs didn’t win all the points on the road.

Amakhosi goalkeeper Khuzwayo was selected as the Absa Premiership Man of the Match.

Polokwane City 0

Kaizer Chiefs 0

Teams:

Polokwane City: Marumo, Molala, Musonda (Mngqibisa73’), Tema, Motumi, Maluleke, Alexander, Langa, Tlolane, Majafa (Jembula 46’), Kanyenda

Kaizer Chiefs: Khuzwayo, Gaxa, Mashamaite (C), Gould, Masilela, Maluleka, Katsande, Tshabalala, Lebese (Masango 82’), Parker, Nkhatha (Mthembu 81’)