SuperSport spoil Chiefs’ party in draw

● Kaizer Chiefs failed to give their supporters a fitting birthday present after they were held to a 0-0 Absa Premiership draw by SuperSport United at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit yesterday.

Amakhosi turn 48 years old today and would have loved to mark the occasion with a victory that would have cut Mamelodi Sundowns’ lead at the top to just three points. Instead, Chiefs remain in fourth on 23 points after 16 matches. They trail Sundowns, who also have a game in hand, by five points.

Sundowns, on 28 points from 15 matches, were pegged back 3-2 away at Polokwane City in the day’s earlier kickoff.

Chiefs were first out of the blocks and could have found themselves one up as early as the third minute.

Hendrick Ekstein found himself in plenty of space with only goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse to beat but the midfielder rolled his effort inches wide. Gustavo Paez also had a shot at goal minutes later but the striker’s effort sailed over the crossbar.

SuperSport too had fair chances but Chiefs took charge of the pacy first half. Reneilwe Letsholonyane released Aubrey Modiba with a perfect pass, the left winger controlling it well to beat his marker before laying it on for striker Jeremy Brockie, who was blocked just as he was about to pull the trigger.

Amakhosi were the better side but hosts Matsatsantsa turned the game on its head in the second half, with goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune’s saves standing in the way of victory for Eric Tinkler’s men.

Brockie thought he had broken the deadlock in the 63rd minute only for his celebrations to be cut short by the offside flag.

This was SuperSport’s sixth league match in a row without a victory. They remain stuck in 12th position with 17 points having played four matches less.