KAIZER Chiefs failed to narrow the five point gap between them and leaders Mamelodi Sundowns last night when they held them to a goalless draw in a thrilling Absa Premiership match at FNB Stadium.
Chiefs were eager to appease their fans who were disappointed after the Brazilians humiliated them 3-1 in the Telkom Knockout final in December last year.
This was also a grudge game for coach Steve Komphela who lashed out at his counterpart Pitso Mosimane for disrespecting his players by analyzing their tactics in public.
But Amakhosi left the venue with only one point in the bag despite a series of attacks on Downs towards the end of match. Chiefs are still in fourth spot with 22 points, while the Brazilians are riding the crest of wave on 27 points. Chiefs defender Erick Mathoho, who recently recovered from injury replaced Morgan Gould to partner Lorenzo Gordinho in central defence.
Komphela also gave George Maluleka, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Thursday a rare start.
Mosimane only made one change to the side that started in the final and also beat Orlando Pirates 2-0 in their last league match before the festive break, with the return of captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele from injury.
The match started at a blistering pace with action swinging from end to end. However, Chiefs suffered a huge blow in the eighth minute when influential winger George Lebese sustained an injury and was replaced by Ugandan international Sula Mato.
Chiefs striker Camaldine Abraw almost grabbed the lead in the 28th minute, but his shot was saved by Dennis Onyango. The Togolese born star was unlucky not to give his side a cushion in the 43rd minute when he headed just wide following Siphiwe Tshabalala’s curling corner. Maluleka looked rusty in front of goal as he missed the best chance to give his side the lead in the 59th minute with only Onyango to beat. Matovu lacked quality and failed to adapt to Komphela’s system and as a result he was replaced after the break.
Mphahlele’s return was short lived as he was stretchered off the pitch and was replaced by Asavela Mbekile. Downs defender Tebogo Langerman could not believe it as his long range shot hit the upright with Pieterse at his mercy
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