Chiefs held by United
Kaizer Chiefs will rue not using the one man advantage to their good last night as they failed to capitalise after Maritzburg United had a player sent off 15 minutes into their Absa Premiership match at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg last night.
The Soweto giants huffed and puffed but could not get the result and could have been embarrassed had the home side taken their chances.
Amakhosi gained the advantage when the Team of Choice lost midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu was sent off for a reckless tackle on Siyabonga Ngezana just 15 minutes into the match.
Amakhosi came close to an opener when Hendriek Ekstein’s left footed shot hit the upright and wide with Richard Ofori in the Maritzburg goal beaten after a good move.
Both sides had a few chances after that but could not make it count when it mattered.
With the scores level at half time, Maritzburg came back for the second half determined to eke out a point and sat back trying to catch Chiefs on a counter. It could have worked as they did get some good chances but failed to capitalise on them.
But it is Giovanni Solinas’ Chiefs who will feel the losers after this draw as they had a chance to register their first league win but failed to use the extra man advantage.
Maritzburg were however lucky not to have a second player sent off after Keagan Buchanan was involved in a verbal altercation with the referee after he was penalised for a foul early in the second half.
Amakhosi almost stole it in the last minute when defender Daniel Cardoso started a move but shot over the bar when he was in the Maritzburg box.
Both sides – who were in the running for the Premiership title last season – remain winless in the league.
The Idols version of local football kicks off this weekend, but unlike in the popular television music talent show there is only one golden ticket in the National First Division and the team that finishes first gets it.
The competition this season seems likely to be even tougher with more teams looking like serious contenders and they are all looking for a good start this weekend.
That includes Ajax Cape Town who meet Jomo Cosmos at Vosloorus Stadium tomorrow afternoon. Muhsin Ertugral’s side were relegated from the Absa Premiership under controversial circumstances last season and have vowed to make a quick return.
Their road, however, starts with what should be a tough encounter against Jomo Sono’s team who are known for their physical approach. Ezenkosi were a hard team to beat at Vosloorus Stadium last season but the club have made several changes with almost all the first team players from last season sold off to cover financial liabilities.
The Urban Warriors have, meanwhile, flexed their financial muscle and acquired some experienced players in former Kaizer Chiefs defender Sibusiso Khumalo and former Platinum Stars midfielder Raymond Monama.