Kaizer Chiefs’ win streak ends in Polokwane

Kaizer Chiefs maintained their unbeaten run in the Betway Premiership with a goalless, though entertaining, stalemate against Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba stadium on Saturday evening.

Despite a few occasions in which a better outcome might have tipped the balance in Kaizer Chiefs’ favour, the 0-0 result was a fair reflection of an evenly contested match in which Polokwane City played some enterprising football themselves.

Moved the ball with zip and purpose

Amakhosi began the match displaying the authority of a team on a long winning streak and looked pleasant on the eye as they moved the ball around with zip and purpose.

The semblance of a generally settled line-up in recent games has given the team a more coherent look and it was on show in the eighth minute when Glody Lilepo backheeled the ball to Flavio Da Silva, whose stepover dummy allowed the ball to run into the path of Thabiso Monyane clear in on goal, before he was cynically brought down by Bonginkosi Dlamini, earning him a deserved yellow card.

Lilepo forced a reflex save from Lindokuhle Mathebula with the free-kick as Kaizer Chiefs threatened to overwhelm Rise and Shine.

The hosts did play their way back into the match by getting the ball forward quickly followed by early crosses.

Twice they fashioned half-chances that failed to hit the target, and in the 27th minute, Mokibelo Ramabu stung the palms of Brandon Petersen, resulting in a corner.

Regained the initiative

Wandile Duba went close just after the half-hour point and, after Aden McCarthy went off injured, was replaced by Inacio Miguel, Mduduzi Shabalala and Monyane hit long range efforts wide as the first half ended goalless.

After withstanding some early pressure after the break, Amakhosi regained the initiative and caused concern for the hosts.

Duba shot wide in the 59th minute when Da Silva released him after some very good strong hold-up play, and Lilepo couldn’t squeeze the ball inside the near post when the ball broke to him after Da Silva had a shot blocked three minutes later.

Multiple substitutions

Both benches made multiple substitutions from the midway point in the second half but rather than ignite the play, it took away the rhythm and the game petered out.

Still, Kaizer Chiefs came agonisingly close to sealing the victory in the 76th minute from Lilepo’s dipping 30-yard free-kick that was tipped a whisker over the crossbar by Mathebula at full stretch.

Nonetheless, the point reinforced Kaizer Chiefs’ third-place in the league standings, with 46 points from 24 matches, and in good shape to approach the Soweto derby coming up against Orlando Pirates on Sunday, 26 April.

Kick-off at the FNB Stadium is at 15:30.