Toothless Chiefs miss penalty to drop further away from Pirates and Sundowns

Published on by

Toothless Chiefs miss penalty to drop further away from Pirates and Sundowns
Kaizer Chiefs defender Inacio Miguel vies for the ball with Junior Dion of Golden Arrows. Image: SuperSport

Kaizer Chiefs missed an opportunity to apply pressure on Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns following a goalless draw against Golden Arrows in a game when they had a penalty saved.

Chiefs had a chance to take the lead after 30 minutes following a foul on Faiz Abrahams in the box but Lebohang Maboe saw his effort kept out in the Betway Premiership match at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.

Lebohang Maboe of Kaizer Chiefs playing against Golden Arrows.
Lebohang Maboe of Kaizer Chiefs playing against Golden Arrows. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

That penalty came after a spell when Arrows should have been ahead had they converted their chances.

The first opportunity from the home side was wasted by Junior Dion, whose well-taken acrobatic volley drew an equally good diving save from goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner, who was making his first Chiefs start in the absence of the injured Brandon Petersen.

Luke Baartman of Kaizer Chiefs and Nqobeko Dlamini of Golden Arrows.
Luke Baartman of Kaizer Chiefs and Nqobeko Dlamini of Golden Arrows. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

Golden opportunity missed by Maboe

Soon after, Arrows went on the counter-attack before a delicious low cross was brought into the box but Sabelo Sithole failed to apply the finish as the ball proved to be too quick for him.

That gave Chiefs impetus and just before the 30-minute mark, they made it into box through Mufundo Vilakazi, but with no space to run into, he passed to Abrahams who was brought down in the box by Ntandoyenkosi Mabaso as he was recycling the ball in a bid to set up a teammate.

The referee pointed to the spot and Maboe stepped up. The midfielder took a good shot but Arrows goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa read it well as he dived to his right and saved it.

Chiefs then kept pushing forward and had a chance when Pule Mmodi and Abrahams played quick passes before Sibongiseni Mthethwa teed up the former but his shot was deflected out.

Kaizer Chiefs players Mfundo Vilakazi and Lebohang Maboe playing against Kaizer Chiefs.
Kaizer Chiefs players Mfundo Vilakazi and Lebohang Maboe playing against Kaizer Chiefs. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs fail to breach tough Arrows

In the second half, Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz made a number of attacking substitutions with Adolf Mtasingwa and Mduduzi Shabalala coming on before Asanele Velebayi and Etiosa Ighodaro were also introduced.

Shabalala added pace and incisiveness in Chiefs’ game but with no end product as he would find Vilakazi, who missed from close range later in the second half.

Kaizer Chiefs forward Luke Baartman controls the ball against Golden Arrows.
Kaizer Chiefs forward Luke Baartman controls the ball against Golden Arrows. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

Arrows also had a couple of opportunities to kill off Chiefs late on but poor decision-making let them down.

It is a second straight draw for Chiefs which sees them remain in fourth place on 13 points, seven behind leaders Sundowns, who have played eight games to their seven, and six adrift of second-placed Pirates, who have also played seven matches.  

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a sports journalist covering South Africa, with 16 years in sports media and a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. Focused on football analysis and responsible gambling, his work has appeared on GOAL and Pulse Sports Kenya, and he is a regular football analyst on TV and radio.

You May Also Like