Kaizer Chiefs and Bloemfontein Celtic played to a goalless draw in an Absa Premiership match at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday evening. Amakhosi had the better play, but the ball just didn’t want to find the back of the net.

Morgan Gould came into the starting line-up to replace the suspended Lorenzo Gordinho, who received his marching orders in last Saturday’s encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns.

William Twala returned to the side, after he sat out a suspension of one game against the Brazilians. He replaced George Maluleka.

Amakhosi played some decent soccer, being most of the time on the half of the visitors. It didn’t result in any immediate chances, although they started to arrive after about 20 minutes of play.

First it was Parker who made a threatening run into the Celtic box from the left, but his cross failed to reach any of his teammates.

Then it was Siphiwe Tshabalala, crossing the ball from inside the right side of the box to Parker. Unfortunately, the captain passed the ball slightly behind the striker. Parker tried to back-heel the ball into the goal, but didn’t succeed, missing the target.

The best goal scoring opportunity in the first half fell for Erick Mathoho, but he kicked the ball over the crossbar from close range.

The visitors, on the hand, looked a few times threatening on the break, even though they never gave Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune much work.

Amakhosi tried to force Celtic a bit more on the back foot at the start of the second half. It resulted in two shots at goal from midfield hard man Willard Katsande.

The home side continued to push and it was Tshabalala that got a fine opportunity in the 54th minute, running into the opponent’s box. But ‘Shabba’ failed to get the ball past the Celtic goalkeeper.

Bloemfontein, however, didn’t travel to Soweto to come and defend, trying to make it an open game with both sides willing to attack, even if the home side had most of the ball possession.

Coach Steve Komphela brought on some fresh legs in the 70th minute, bringing on Edward Manqele for Parker, who worked hard but who had probably run a bit out of steam by then.

A few minutes later, Maluleka come on for George Lebese.

Maluleka nearly helped Amakhosi to the first goal, when his well-taken corner found the head of Gould, but the ball just failed to hit the target. Gould played well, forming a fine partnership in central defence with Mathoho.

It was also Maluleka who looked to have the winner on his boot, but his scorching shot from outside the box flew inches past the wrong side of the sidebar.

And just when the Amakhosi faithful thought that no goals would come, Manqele came one-on-one with the Celtic goalkeeper, but he failed to hit the target.

It summed up a bit the night, chances enough, but it wasn’t to be - with a goalless draw being the result.

Chiefs are still in fourth position, having collected 45 points from 28 matches.

Amakhosi next travel to Bethlehem to face Free State Stars in an Absa Premiership match on Wednesday, 11 May (kick-off is at 19:30).

Kaizer 0

Bloemfontein Celtic 0

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune; Moleko, Mathoho, Gould, Ritchie; Tshabalala, Katsande, Letsholonyane (Baloyi 80’), Lebese (Maluleka 74’); Twala, Parker (Manqele 70’)

Bloemfontein Celtic: Tignyemb; Morena, Dube, Letlabika, Fransman, Lubisi; Lakay (Wana 78’), Lantshene (Shikwene 65’), Nyatama; Abdoul, Zuma (Lamola 89’)