Poor efforts from strikers mean derby ends in draw
at Soccer City their big lead atop the Premiership table.
They played at a frenetic pace and forced two free kicks within the first 10 minutes – only to fluff them both.
As early as the fifth minute they had George Lebese running into the box to meet a Tshabalala pass, but the midfielder went down easily against Siyabonga Sangweni’s attention, and the referee waved play on. The tide turned Pirates’ way and on the quarter-hour mark Khune uncharacteristically fluffed a Mpho Makola free kick, the Amakhosi number one allowing the ball to slip from his hand. That Pirates did not see this as a sign the goalkeeper was not back to his full sharpness, and try to take pot-shots at him, told the story of players lacking in game-reading maturity.
For late in the second half, Khune again failed to deal with a high cross into his area – something that is ordinarily bread and butter stuff for the Chiefs number one.
Makola had a half chance on 21 minutes when Tsepo Masilela fell asleep in the box and allowed the Pirates winger a free header from behind him. But Makola sent the ball over.
There were some attempts on the other side, too, with Mathoho heading Tshabalala’s free kick over before Reneilwe Letsholonyane shot straight at Brighton Mhlongo.
As the game progressed, the two teams had a go at each other at some pace, to the excitement of the crowd, but in the end it was all for show as the moves failed to achieve their objective, let alone trouble the goalkeepers.
Today’s PSL fare sees the University of Pretoria enter- tain struggling Maritzburg United at the Tuks Stadium, while Platinum Stars play host to Moroka Swallows at Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Both games kick off at 3.30pm.
There is a full schedule of league matches over the next 10 days which will, in all likelihood, determine the fates of the title challengers and those hoping to avoid the drop.
Maritzburg’s week will not get any easier after that as they will host the league-leading Chiefs on Wednesday evening before heading for Rustenburg and a game against Platinum Stars.
Rel e g at i o n - haunted AmaZulu entertain high-flying Wits on Tuesday evening at the Moses Mabhida stadium.
Usuthu then travel to Port Elizabeth for a match against fellow strugglers Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium.