THE top-of-the-table Absa Premiership clash between log-leaders Kaizer Chiefs and Platinum Stars produced a goalless draw yesterday.
It could well have been the title decider, but the wait to determine who is crowned Premier League champions will drag on now for a few more weeks.
Although the stalemate did not hurt Chiefs’ chances of clinching the championship this season, Platinum Stars will continue to be the underdogs to perhaps topple Amakhosi if this title challenge is taken right down to the wire.
Chiefs remain the log-leaders and are currently six points clear of Dikwena.
However, had the visitors taken their chances early, Amakhosi might have had their work cut out in the three league matches left.
In a game where there were few scoring opportunities, striker Bernard Parker could have added to his 12-goal Premier League tally as early as the 13th minute.
But he was too selfish to pick out the on- rushing Kingston Nkhatha, who would have needed only a tap-in to give Chiefs the lead.
Stars were no slouches in this encounter as they reacted with fluid movement on the ball, resulting in their leading marksman Henrico Botes hitting the woodwork with a cheeky back-heel.
Stars also seemed to pile on the pressure to unsettle Chiefs’ new goalkeeper, Brilliant Khuzwayo, who was making his official debut for Amakhosi in place of the suspended Itumeleng Khune.
Khuzwayo was nervous, but got comfortable as the game continued. He punched the ball out of danger when his team was under intense pressure.
He was well-beaten about two minutes before the halftime break. On this occasion Benson Mhlongo’’s shot came off the post.
Chiefs had survived yet again and needed to lift up their game to calm their jittery supporters. Through Nkhatha, Amakhosi could have broken the deadlock on the stroke of half-time. Parker worked tirelessly to win the ball in Stars’ half and set up his strike partner for what could have been an easy goal.
The Zimbabwean succeeded in chipping the ball over goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane, but he watched in dismay as the ball went just wide of the post.
Chiefs struggle when their key man Parker fails to get much of the ball.
He was kept in the pocket by man-of-the- match Mhlongo and his central defensive partner Tshepo Gumede.
Mhlongo even managed to have two shots on target at the other end.
Amakhosi have it all to do in the three remaining matches – but two victories from those matches will guarantee the championship for this season.
l Sameegh Doutie scored the only goal as SuperSport United climbed to fourth place on the table with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Golden Arrows in KwaMashu, outside Durban yesterday.
Chiefs must fight another day after draw
It could well have been the title decider, but the wait to determine who is crowned Premier League champions will drag on now for a few more weeks.
Although the stalemate did not hurt Chiefs’ chances of clinching the championship this season, Platinum Stars will continue to be the underdogs to perhaps topple Amakhosi if this title challenge is taken right down to the wire.
Chiefs remain the log-leaders and are currently six points clear of Dikwena.
However, had the visitors taken their chances early, Amakhosi might have had their work cut out in the three league matches left.
In a game where there were few scoring opportunities, striker Bernard Parker could have added to his 12-goal Premier League tally as early as the 13th minute.
But he was too selfish to pick out the on- rushing Kingston Nkhatha, who would have needed only a tap-in to give Chiefs the lead.
Stars were no slouches in this encounter as they reacted with fluid movement on the ball, resulting in their leading marksman Henrico Botes hitting the woodwork with a cheeky back-heel.
Stars also seemed to pile on the pressure to unsettle Chiefs’ new goalkeeper, Brilliant Khuzwayo, who was making his official debut for Amakhosi in place of the suspended Itumeleng Khune.
Khuzwayo was nervous, but got comfortable as the game continued. He punched the ball out of danger when his team was under intense pressure.
He was well-beaten about two minutes before the halftime break. On this occasion Benson Mhlongo’’s shot came off the post.
Chiefs had survived yet again and needed to lift up their game to calm their jittery supporters. Through Nkhatha, Amakhosi could have broken the deadlock on the stroke of half-time. Parker worked tirelessly to win the ball in Stars’ half and set up his strike partner for what could have been an easy goal.
The Zimbabwean succeeded in chipping the ball over goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane, but he watched in dismay as the ball went just wide of the post.
Chiefs struggle when their key man Parker fails to get much of the ball.
He was kept in the pocket by man-of-the- match Mhlongo and his central defensive partner Tshepo Gumede.
Mhlongo even managed to have two shots on target at the other end.
Amakhosi have it all to do in the three remaining matches – but two victories from those matches will guarantee the championship for this season.
l Sameegh Doutie scored the only goal as SuperSport United climbed to fourth place on the table with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Golden Arrows in KwaMashu, outside Durban yesterday.
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