Chiefs playout goalless stalemate against Primeiro
Chiefs playout goalless stalemate against Primeiro

Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on Dec 24, 2020.

23 December 2020

 

 

Kaizer Chiefs                (0) 0

Primero De Agosto      (0) 0

 

Kaizer Chiefs were held to a 0-0 draw by Angolan Girabola side Primeiro De Agosto in the first leg of their first round CAF Champions League tie at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday evening. With some rain earlier on in the day in Johannesburg, the weather was cooler and allowed for the game to be played under a more favorable climate for a fast-paced game. Chiefs created a host of opportunities and were unfortunate not to have managed to have taken a lead with them to Luanda for the second leg, with two chances falling to Mulomowandau Mathoho late in the second half, while Lazalous Kambole hit the woodwork in the first half for Chiefs.

The game began slowly with the Angolans who arrived in Johannesburg on Monday taking time to find their feet in the altitude of Johannesburg, Chiefs’ first chance at goal came in the 20th minute when Lebogang Manyama sent a free kick from range over the Primero goal. In the 22nd minute Khama Billiat had the ball in the back of the net but his effort was ruled out for offside. Two minutes later, Chiefs finally managed to get the ball past Primero keeper Adison Cipriano but Lazalous Kambole’s header hit the woodwork.

Kambole did well to time the flight of the ball as a corner was floated in from the left. The Primeiro keeper ran off his line failed to make contact with ball. While Kambole managed to meet the ball powerfully with his head but the ball crashed against the woodwork a left off for the visitors.

The first half ended 0-0.

Chiefs created more chances and shots at goal in the second forty-five minutes and were able to get behind the Primero defence on a number of occasions. Manyama had his well-executed free kick stopped by Cipriano in the 65th minute. Then in the 73rd minute it was the turn of Leonardo Castro another second half Chiefs substitute to test the keeper with a shot from distance, which had Cipriano diving to get the ball out for a corner to avert the danger.

Chiefs continued to pile the pressure on the Primero goal and the best chance of the game to that point falling to Mathoho who in close proximity to the goal headed his effort wide, after he had done well to connect with a cross from the right.

 

As the game entered its final moments, Chiefs would have two chances in the final minute. Billiat had done well to create space down the left and sent a ball towards goal, which evaded the Primero defence. The ball proceeded along the ground where a sliding Dumsani Zuma was unable to make contact with the ball as the slightest of touches would have seen it nestle in the back of the net.  Later on, Mathoho’s downward header from a similar distance to his first effort bounce agonisingly over the Primero goal as Chiefs go to the second leg having not conceded a goal at home.

The second leg will be on 5 January in Luanda, Angola.

 

Number of the Match 50:

Daniel Cardoso who came on as a second half substitute has featured in Chiefs last 50 games in all competitions.

 

Fact of the game:

Chiefs have not conceded a goal in their last four games in the African Champions League. It is also the first time that Chiefs have kept three successive clean sheets in their opening three games in a CAF Champions League campaign.

Teams:

Chiefs:  Akpeyi, Mphahlele ©, Ngezana, Mathoho; Zulu (Cardoso 70’), Katsande (14), Ngcobo (Zuma 81’), Blom (Castro 61’), Manyama; Billiat, Kambole (Parker 81’)

Subs not used: Khune; Moleko, Matsheke

Primero:  da Cruz; da Costa, Ungenda, Caetano, Emane; Moya (Gonçalves 90+3’), Masuekama, Mbala, Vidal, do Carom, Paciènca (Ganga 90’)

Subs: Cabaça; Pedro, Salvador, Balbürdia, Dala

 

What’s Next?

Chiefs are not in action until 5 January 2021 when they travel to Luanda to face Primeiro in the second leg. Chiefs are due to depart for Angola on 3 January.

 

 

 

 

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