Chiefs, City drop crucial points in goalless draw
Citizens remain fifth and Amakhosi seventh on the standings, a dent to their missions to finish in the top three
This was the sort of match coaches Eric Tinkler and Cavin Johnson were left to rue two dropped points than be happy about the one gained.
This 0-0 draw, played in front of a fullhouse at Athlone Stadium, saw Cape Town City and Kaizer Chiefs miss out on chances to move up the DStv Premiership ladder.
City remain in fifth spot with 32 points and they have now gone five matches without a win a run that includes three draws and two losses and they have a daunting mission if they are to make their way into the top three.
Chiefs remain seventh with 30 points and have only one win to show from their past six league matches. They have a mountain to climb to qualify for the Champions League or the Confederation Cup.
With Mamelodi Sundowns favourites to win their seventh successive league title, City and Chiefs are still involved in the battle for second and third spots but this share of the spoils has dented their chances.
Chiefs interim coach Johnson made a few interesting choices in his starting lineup, with Given Msimango captaining the side that included a rare start for Siyethemba Sithebe in the midfield. Sithebe got the nod to partner Sibongiseni Mthethwa in central midfield in the absence of suspended Yusuf Maart and Edson Castillo, while Samkelo Zwane was left on the bench as cover.
Elsewhere, Johnson also included youngsters Mduduzi Tshabalala and Wandile Duba to provide a headache for the City defence marshalled by Lorenzo Gordinho and Keanu Cupido.
It was a brave move by Johnson, considering that he left more experienced attackers Christian Saile and Ranga Chavaviro on the bench, and the youngsters on occasion showed positive signs.
He only introduced Saile and Chavaviro with three minutes remaining on the clock but there was not enough time for them to influence this match in Chiefs’ favour to get the much-needed win. Tinkler went with his tried and tested team that included experienced campaigners like Darren Keet, Thamsanqa Mkhize, Darwin Gonzalez, Thabo Nodada and Khanyisa Mayo.
Chiefs started the match brightly as they created most of the chances and the notable opportunity fell for Duba, who missed a glorious opportunity after seven minutes when he skied the ball over the crossbar after he received a pass from Sithebe.
City responded swiftly and in anger when Gonzalez was released from the midfield and upon receiving the ball, he unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that bounced off the upright, with Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma beaten.
On the half-hour mark, Bvuma was forced to produce a stunning acrobatic save to parry a long-range shot from Aprocius Petrus, after Dove misplaced his pass from the back.
After 90 minutes of a lukewarm match, it was Chiefs who created most of the scoring opportunities through the likes of Duba, Shabalala, Pule Mmodi and Ashley du Preez, but they could not return to winning ways.
City also had their moments on the attack but they could not find their way past Bvuma. Chiefs came back from the break with more purpose as they created two good chances but Shabalala and Duba could not get the better of Keet between the poles for City.
The league programme continues with matches coming in thick and fast, and both teams are back in action on Tuesday, with Amakhosi hosting Stellenbosch at FNB Stadium and City making the long trip to Sekhukhune United in Polokwane.
Meanwhile, with Stellenbosch beating Royal AM 3-0 to move second on the log in the other match yesterday, this means City and Chiefs will be under pressure to win their next matches.