Posted in Match Report, News on Aug 22, 2021.
TS Galaxy (0) 0
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 0
At Mbombela Stadium
Amakhosi began a top flight season with a goalless draw for just the fourth time in 52 seasons, as they were unable to break down a stubborn TS Galaxy defence in opening their campaign with a 0-0 draw in Mpumalanga at the Mbombela Stadium outside Nelspruit.
Chiefs had the lion’s share of possession and the best chances of the game, but could not make it count and had to settle for a point.
Galaxy’s physical game plan was clear early on as Augustine Kwem was cautioned for elbowing Cole Alexander inside the opening ten minutes, the Chiefs player getting a bloodied nose in the encounter.
Galaxy’s physicality continued and in the 23rd minute Njabulo Blom was kicked flush in the face by Ebrahim Seedat as he attempted to head the ball, with the Galaxy player escaping a caution for his reckless play.
Blom picked himself up and was at the heart of Chiefs’ first real opportunity of the game. Blom’s throw in from the left bounced uncomfortably for defender Pogiso Sanoka, as he hesitated to clear the ball Samir Nurković came running in and headed the ball towards goal.
It took a fine stop from Galaxy goalkeeper Vasilije Kolak at full stretch to his right to push the ball away to deny Chiefs the lead in the 24th minute of the game.
With Chiefs dominating, the hosts were mere pedestrians and continued to resort to their overt physicality, as Nurković found out when getting past Sihle Nduli and being cynically knocked over by Galaxy’s last man just outside the 18yard area. From the ensuing free kick, Khama Billiat sent the ball high and wide.
In the third minute of referee’s optional time at the end of the first half Daniel Cardoso headed the ball over the goal from close range, after Sifiso Hlanti had managed to head Kgaogelo Sekgota corner from the fight into his path.
Chiefs, who had been dominant in the first half, went into the break goalless.
Galaxy began the second half the sprightlier of the two teams, with the game fluctuating for a while, with both teams having spells of dominance prior to the hour mark.
Sekgota was particularly industrious and in two copycat moves he was able to get down the left flank and send telling balls into the danger zone. But on both occasions, none of his teammates were there to finish off the move as Galaxy eventually with great hesitancy managed to clear the ball.
In the 68th minute another run by Sekgota saw the Chiefs midfielder being brought down by Ndluli, but Chiefs played on with Billiat driving the ball high and wide from inside the Galaxy 18 yard area after he was picked out by Hlanti in the ensuing move.
Ndluli, who was yellow carded earlier, was lucky to escape being ejected for his dangerous tackle on Sekgota.
Chiefs keeper Bruce Bvuma was hardly tested in the game but was alert when blocking a long shot from way out by Mohammed Anas. The Chiefs keeper was quick enough to bring the loose ball under control, with Wayde Lekay charging in search of the rebound in the 77th minute.
Four minutes from time Bernard Parker played a well timed through pass to pick out Keagan Dolly, who found himself in the clear.
Just as Dolly strode towards goal and looked to pull the trigger, Seedat came from the right and made a crucial tackle to crucially win the ball off the Chiefs player.
The game ended goalless, with Chiefs picking up their first point of the 2021-22 season,
Stuart Baxter will be happy with the solidity of the performance but would have hoped for his charges to have converted one of the chances that they did manage to conjure up. Amakhosi will now turn their attention to Wednesday’s game against Baroka.
Number of the game 0 – Chiefs have faced TS Galaxy in three league games and are yet to concede a league goal against them in 270 minutes of league action.
Fact of the game – With Stuart Baxter as their coach Chiefs have never lost any of their four opening league games of a season (W3 D1), they have kept a clean-sheet in each of these games.
MVP – Cole Alexander was in the thick of the action all game long, using his vast experience to manage Galaxy’s overt tackling and physicality, his performance winning him the man of the match award. Kgaogelo Sekgota showed his creative side as he ran his socks off all evening long, his ball distribution and crossing was top draw.
What Next – Chiefs will not have a lot of time to dwell on this game, they will next be in action on Wednesday against Baroka on Wednesday at Soccer City. Kickoff is at 17h00.
Line Ups:
Galaxy: 32. V. Kolak, 45. P. Sanoka, 50. I. Makitan, 26. L. Mokoena, 3. E. Seedat, 8. S. Nduli, 10. E. Brooks (M. Mogaila 69’), 15. B. Aubaas, 11. T. Nyama, 19. W. Lekay (6. M. Mbujana 79’), 19. Kwem (9. Anas 45’).
Subs Not Used: 1. W. Van der Linde, 4. Mahlangu, 12.T. Ndlovu, 2. N.Bobide, 8. M. Phohlongo, 29. M. Macuphu.
Cautions: Kwem 5, Ndluli 42’
Chiefs: 44. B. Bvuma, 45. N. Blom, 3. M. Mathoho, 4. D. Cardoso, 23. S. Hlanti, 17. C. Alexander (5. A. Akumu 85’), 24. P. Nange, 25. B. Parker, 11. K. Billiat, 14. K. Sekgota (12. N. Ngcobo 73’), 9. S. Nurković (10 K. Dolly 54’).
Subs Not Used: 40. Akpeyi, 2. Mphahlele, 26. Mabiliso, 27. N.Ngcobo, 29. Dube, 7. Kambole.
Cautions: Alexander 39’
