Kaizer Chiefs will feel somewhat unsatisfied after being held to a 0-0 draw by defending Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2025/26 season’s biggest encounter to date.
On a night when defence emerged on top, Kaizer Chiefs clearly looked the more likely to take the three points on offer, as they more than matched their opponents for much of the 90-plus minutes.
‘Tension and tenacity’
While the scoreline might not suggest a thriller, the sold-out 75 000 spectators were kept rivetted to their seats by the tension and tenacity of two teams giving everything for their respective badges.
The cautious start to the match gave an indication of the mutual respect shown between the two sides as they sparred at a distance for the opening few minutes.
Mamelodi Sundowns went close in the ninth minute when Tashreeq Matthews poked the ball over Brandon Petersen’s crossbar but after that it was the home team that were in the ascendency.
Their relentless pressing, particularly from the lively Wandile Duba at the front, denied Masandawana time on the ball and allowed Kaizer Chiefs to win back possession high up the pitch and create chances.
Debutant Paseka Mako floated a tantalising cross from the left in the 11th minute that was met by a Duba header that was saved by Ronwen Williams.
Four minutes later, Glody Lilepo burst down the right and whipped in a low cross that defender Malibongwe Khosa cleared off the toe of the onrushing Duba.
Duba was involved again as he harried Mamelodi Sundowns into losing possession inside their own half after 18 minutes and the ball broke to Sibongiseni Mthethwa, who blazed his shot over the bar.
Evenly matched
The majority of this evenly matched first half was punctuated with little fouls that disrupted the flow of the game, as neither side gave an inch to the other with so much at stake.
Popular Congolese forward, Lilepo almost had the crowd off their feet in the 38th minute when he picked up the ball in a central position 35 yards out and hit a rocket of a shot that Williams tipped over the bar at full stretch.
Mamelodi Sundowns broke away from the resultant corner and Petersen also need to dive full length to keep out Tebogo Mokoena’s shot at the other end.
Second period
Kaizer Chiefs continued to keep Mamelodi Sundowns off balance into the second period and Lilepo again called Williams into play to save a shot from the edge of the box.
As the visitors attempted to gain a foothold in the game, Amakhosi’s rear guard repelled everything, save for a long range effort from Arthur Sales that grazed the outside of Petersen’s post in the 59th minute.
Kaizer Chiefs still posed the greater threat and in the 77th minute, Pule Mmodi cut in from the left and fired in a shot that forced Williams into another save.
With five minutes remaining, Lilepo struck a 30-yard free-kick that dipped just too late to slip under the bar and in stoppage time a loose ball broke into the path of Mthethwa whose well struck shot was held by Williams low to his right.
The visitors will feel a sense of relief to escape with a share of the spoils, but Amakhosi fans can take heart from the performance and a fourth straight clean sheet, with 10 points in the bag already.
Log standings
Kaizer Chiefs are in second place in the updated Betway Premiership standings, behind log-leaders Sekhukhune United on goal difference.
Mamelodi Sundowns are in third place on eight points.
Amakhosi will next be in action way from home against Golden Arrows on Saturday, 30 August at 17:30, while the Brazilians’ next fixture is also on the road against Stellenbosch FC on the same day, with a 15:00 kick off.
Post match facts
Kaizer Chiefs have kept four successive clean sheets in their opening four league games of a season for the first time since 1979.
Kaizer Chiefs kept their fifth successive clean sheet for the first time since the 2019/20 season.
Brandon Petersen has kept his fifth clean sheet in a row; the first time in his career he has done so.
Petersen is the first Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper since Itumeleng Khune in 2017/18 to keep five successive clean-sheets.
Kaizer Chiefs have reached 10 points in four games this season, two games faster than last season.
TEAMS
Kaizer Chiefs
Petersen (1), Mako (29), Kwinika (captain – 4), Miguel (84), Monyane (2), Mthethwa (5), Cele (21) (Ndlovu (8) 67’), Shabalala (7) (Sirino (10) 67’), , Mmodi (13), Lilepo (99), Duba (47) (Du Preez (9) 60’)
Subs not used: Ntwari (30), Cross (48), Frosler (39), Ngcobo (12), Vilakazi (28), Da Silva (77)
Coach: Nasreddine Nabi
Mamelodi Sundowns
Williams (captain – 30); Morena (27) (Mdunyelwa (28) 71’), Khoza (42), Basadien (23) (Modiba (6) 56’), Adams (44), Cupido (24), Mokoena (4) (Aubass (15) 76’), Allende (11), Matthews (17) (Mabena (22) 71’), Sales (9), Rayners (13) (Mothiba (35) 71’)
Subs not used: Onyango (1); Lebusa (5), Letlhaku (43), Shalulile (38)
Coach: Miguel Cardoso
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