Chiefs extend their winless run in Mzansi after another disappointing outing against Siwelele

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Chiefs extend their winless run in Mzansi after another disappointing outing against Siwelele
Image - SuperSport Football

Kaizer Chiefs extended their winless run in domestic football to six games after a goalless draw with Siwelele on Wednesday night at the FNB STadium.

As promised, the Glamour Boys made changes to the starting team, giving Etiosa Ighodaro his debut, while Thabo Cele and Mfundo Vilakazi got rare starts. Thebang Maboe, Asanele Velebayi and Thabiso Monyane – who was nursing an injury, made the bench.

Siwelele came into the match without former Amakhosi striker Samir Nurkovic who is injured, but Christian Saile made the bench.

Big saves by keepers ensure first half ends goalless

The visitors started the game quite well, trying to close down spaces and limit Amakhosi from playing their usual short passes and building from the back.

In the 12th minute, Mduduzi Shabalala almost found the advancing Mfundo Vilakazi and Ricardo Goss made a mess of it, but the defenders bailed the South Africa international out.

The Soweto giants were almost undone in the 17th minute when Chibuike Ohizu beat the defenders to a low cross from the left, but Brandon Petersen pulled a fantastic save to deny the bulky stiker.

Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Patersen.

Chiefs responded moments later with a lung-bursting frst-break that ended with Reeve Frosler cutting the ball back to unmarked Shabalala. The Bafana Bafana unleashed a rocket but Goss was equal to the task.

Defender Neo Rapoo was left unchecked in the 26th minute, created space before unleashing a rocket that missed the targed by inches.

In the 40th minute, the determined Frosler was fed the ball by Sibongiseni Mthethwa on the edge of the 18-yard area, only that his rocket was narrowly off target. It was the only meaningful attempt from the hosts before the half-time whistle was blown.

Chiefs forced to end game with a man less

Just two minutes after the break, Zitha Kwinika almost gave Amakhosi the lead. A free kick by Shabalala was not effectively dealt with, and the loose ball eventually fell on the path of the bulky centre-back who coulcn't keep his shot on target.

Glody lilepo, who had replaced Wandile Duba in the second half, could have done better in the 52nd minute when Bradley Cross – who also came in, in place of Inacio Miguel but switched to left-back, passed the ball to him in the box. However, the Congolese just couldn't guide the ball in.

Petersen had to be alert in the 72nd minute to stop his former teamate Christian Saile from beating him, after a good run from the right.

Chiefs had to finish the game with 10 men as Khanyisa Mayo, who had replaced Etiosa Ighodaro, was forced out with what looked like a hamstring injury. Having exhausted their substitutions, Amakhosi had no option but to play with a man less.

The match, eventually, ended goalles, taking Chiefs winless run in domestic matches to six games, from which five are in the PSL.

Amakhosi have now collected 16 points from nine matches which places them fourth on the table behind Mamelodi Sundowns, Sekhukhune United and Orlando Pirates respectively.

Focus turns to Saturday where the Soweto giants will play AS Simba in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup's second preliminary round knowing they need a win of any kind to make the group stage of the annual competition.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

Author

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

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