Kaizer Chiefs lost some ground in the Absa Premiership title race following a goalless draw against Moroka Swallows at Coca Cola Park on Tuesday night.

It was a game that the Glamour Boys dominated from the first whistle and they will be disappointed not to have headed back to Naturena with maximum points. Chiefs, who attacked the hosts from the first minute, played a good brand of football and now they have a mountain to climb to seriously challenge for the league honours.

The Amakhosi made only a single change to the team that beat AmaZulu 1-0 in the last game before the Christmas recess in 2009, with Arthur Bartman coming in for suspended goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune.

The Glamour Boys made their intentions clear as early as the 12th minute, when Zhiamu Jambo tested Greg Itafia after a neatly played free kick by Josta Dladla. Itafia was called into duty five minutes later as he parried away Siphiwe Tshabalala’s shot as Chiefs searched for an early goal.

The Glamour Boys were more threatening in the first stanza, with Jimmy Tau’s daunting runs on the right creating lot of problems for Swallows, who relied sorely on Siyabonga Nomvethe’s pace up front.

The Amakhosi continued to probe in the second stanza but could not break the opposition defence, which resulted in the Serbian introducing Knowledge Musona for hard running Nkosinathi Nhleko. It was not a surprise when the burly striker received overwhelming applause from the Amakhosi faithful that outnumbered Swallows fans in the stands.

In the 65th minute, Vaal-born, Abia Nale collected the ball on the right wing, beating a few defenders before unleashing a powerful shot that went just wide. On the other end of the pitch, Swallows created their first opportunity of the game when Siyabonga Nomvethe forced a superb save out of Arthur Bartman.

Kaizer Chiefs came close taking the lead in the 75th minute when Jose Torrealba failed to connect with Knowledge Musona's pass.

The Glamour Boys, realising that time was not on their side, continued to pile on the pressure and came close twice, in the 77th and 78th minute. First, industrious midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane watched his well-taken shot go just over the bar, following superb work from Abia Nale on the left. Then substitute, Knowledge Musona's rocket shot came off the woodwork with Greg Itafia beaten.

Letsholonyane was in thick of things again in the 87th minute, forcing a good save out of Greg Itafia.

The visitors tried hard to break Swallows' defence, but it was too late as the game ended goalless and Chiefs will be hoping to redeem themselves when they host strugglers, Jomo Cosmos, at Loftus Stadium on Saturday.

Chiefs: Bartman, Tau (Capt.), Jambo, Sweswe, Rooi, Letsholonyane, Nengomasha, Dladla (Torrealba 70), Nhleko (Musona 60), Tshabalala, Nale

Substitutes not used: Metsimetsi, Nahayo, Yende, Lebese, Masango

Technical Team


Vladimir Vermezovic (Head Coach)


Donald Khuse (Assistant Coach)


Dave Milner (Team Physiotherapist)

Swallows: Etafia, Bhengu (Ferland 88), Cichon, Hendricks, Kobola, Mphahlele, Mashishi, Tsutsulupa (Capt.), Shivambu (Khumalo 61), Leonard, Nomvethe (Radebe)

Substitutes not used: Mathibe, Gilbert, Denge, Radebe, Ndlela

Match Officials


Faik Daniels (Referee)


Yugesh Anjith (1st Assistant)


Jeronimo Piedt (2nd Assistant)


Charl Theron (4th Official)


Robert Pillay (Match Commissioner)