Chiefs, AmaZulu fail to find the net
Kaizer Chiefs’ stuttering start to the 2022/23 season continued as they were held to a goalless draw by AmaZulu FC in a DStv Premiership clash at FNB Stadium in Soweto last night.
Chiefs have failed to register back-toback wins in all competitions this season.
In their six league matches, Amakhosi have registered three defeats, two wins and a draw. They also have one win in the MTN8 against Stellenbosch FC.
Before their cup victory, Chiefs lost 2-0 to Cape Town City in the league. This means after six matches, Chiefs managed a disappointing seven points in the league.
For the AmaZulu clash, Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane dropped Keagan Dolly from the starting line-up to make way for Yusuf Maart, who was suspended for the past two matches.
Also, Njabulo Blom, who has been the centre of controversy in the build-up to the game, continued to be missing from the Chiefs match-day squad.
Blom currently has contractual issues with the club as reports have suggested the player wanted his salary to be reviewed as he regarded it as too low for a first team player.
Blom came through Amakhosi junior ranks and worked his way up to the top.
South Africans got a chance to see Chiefs’ new striker Caleb Bimenyimana in action for the first time when he came off the bench against AmaZulu.
The 24-year-old Burundian striker has been with Amakhosi for a while, but he wasn’t able to play because of work permit issues.
However, it seems it will take more than 20 minutes on the pitch before anyone can say if Chiefs made a good signing.
The two teams delivered an entertaining first half, with a lot of end-to-end play as both sides looked determined to win the clash.
Chiefs played a quick game when they were attacking and that helped them to press Usuthu for most of the first 20 minutes as the hosts created a number of chances.
However, the last touch in the final third let Zwane’s men down as they could have scored at least two goals in the first stanza, based on the chances they created.
Players such as Khama Billiat, Siyethemba Sithebe and Ashley du Preez all had chances to score.
Apart from not finding the back of the net, Sithebe had an excellent game against his former club.
The high pressure game saw Amakhosi being awarded a penalty after 22 minutes of play when Mbongeni Gumede was ruled against for handling the ball inside the box.
Dillan Solomons stepped up to take the penalty, but he couldn’t give Chiefs the lead as the former Swallows FC man missed his attempt.
The second half was more like the first with both teams having a go at each other, but Chiefs created more chances.
George Matlou probably had the best chance to score in the final half of the clash when Billiat chipped the ball over Usuthu keeper Veli Mothwa.
However, Matlou was let down by his first touch with an open net in front of him, but the ball went out for a goal kick.
Despite the opportunities, no side was able to find the back of the net and credit must be given to goalkeepers Mothwa and Itumeleng Khune, who both did a good job between the poles.
The two sides are going to meet each other twice in the two-legged MTN8 semifinals in October.
But before the MTN8 semis Chiefs will play Marumo Gallants in a league clash at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Sunday, September 11.
AmaZulu will welcome Daine Klate’s Chippa United at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday (3pm).