KAIZER Chiefs could look back to last night’s goalless draw against Bidvest Wits as the clash where they threw away the title.
They will know soon enough. With Knowledge Musona injured and top scorer Bernard Parker on a worrying dry spell – 13 goalless games in all competitions – Chiefs have been blunt upfront at this critical stage of the Absa Premiership race. The stalemate means that Amakhosi, the reigning league champions, no longer have their destiny in their hands having given league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns the advantage in the final weeks of the championship chase. Only the strangest of results can put them back in front as Chiefs now trail Sundowns by five points after 27 matches.
Amakhosi have a game in hand on the Brazilians, but they never really looked like they wanted it badly with Wits in the driving seat for much of this encounter. It’s difficult seeing Downs, on a nine-game winning streak in the league, drop points in their final two matches – especially after last night’s blow to Chiefs’ title hopes.
Wits, who are third on the Premier League standings, dominated proceedings here and their goalkeeper, Moeneeb Josephs, had little to do in the 90 minutes. Even when Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter rang the changes desperate for a winning goal, Wits held their ground.
Substitute Katlego Mphela could have breached that defence in the dying moments, but his header ricocheted off the crossbar and back into play for Wits to clear. The Chiefs bench knew instantly that it was now Sundown’s title to lose.
The Clever Boys were without a doubt the better side in the first half, with S’thembiso Ngcobo twice coming close to giving his team the lead when his shot in the 15th minute was pushed for a corner kick by Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune. The in-form forward was again unlucky to see his 39thminute header shave the crossbar in a moment where Khune had little to no clear vision of the in-swinging corner kick from Jabulani Shongwe.
Wits are out of the title race but they threw all they could at Amakhosi in a performance worthy of the PSL.
The two sides, along with Orlando Pirates, have the best defensive record in the current campaign and it wasn’t surprising that when they went down the tunnel at the break the match was goalless.
Wits, especially, were solid following superb tackles from Siyabonga Nhlapho to break down Amakhosi attacks.
Chiefs’ remaining league matches include Free State Stars, AmaZulu and University of Pretoria, a game postponed from this Saturday to May 6 because of the CAF commitments.
Orlando Pirates are excited about the return of dribbling wizard Oupa Manyisa for their last home game of the season against Platinum Stars on Saturday. The influential Manyisa is back from suspension and is expected to be in the starting line-up in this Premiership match taking place at Orlando Stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm. Also expected to be back in action is deputy captain and defender Happy Jele, who has recovered from a hamstring injury but will first have to undergo a fitness test today.
“This is our last game at home this season, so we want to end the season on a high note by beating Stars again,” said Pirates communications manager Mickey Modisane.
Pirates walloped Dikwena 3-0 in their first-round match in Phokeng in December through goals by Manyisa, Thandani Ntshumayelo and Daine Klate.
It will be the third meeting between the two clubs this season.
The North West side, which boasts former Pirates players like Patrick Malokase, Benson Mhlongo and Siphelele Mthembu, won the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout finals.
Ntuli had the first look at goal with a 20m volley after good passing between Philani Shange and Festus Mbewe set up the opportunity in the seventh minute. But the ball would not dip in time to creep underneath Ronwen Williams’ crossbar.
Winger Philani Shange set up two further chances for Ntuli in the first half, both of which were untaken.
Chiefs hold their breath
They will know soon enough. With Knowledge Musona injured and top scorer Bernard Parker on a worrying dry spell – 13 goalless games in all competitions – Chiefs have been blunt upfront at this critical stage of the Absa Premiership race. The stalemate means that Amakhosi, the reigning league champions, no longer have their destiny in their hands having given league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns the advantage in the final weeks of the championship chase. Only the strangest of results can put them back in front as Chiefs now trail Sundowns by five points after 27 matches.
Amakhosi have a game in hand on the Brazilians, but they never really looked like they wanted it badly with Wits in the driving seat for much of this encounter. It’s difficult seeing Downs, on a nine-game winning streak in the league, drop points in their final two matches – especially after last night’s blow to Chiefs’ title hopes.
Wits, who are third on the Premier League standings, dominated proceedings here and their goalkeeper, Moeneeb Josephs, had little to do in the 90 minutes. Even when Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter rang the changes desperate for a winning goal, Wits held their ground.
Substitute Katlego Mphela could have breached that defence in the dying moments, but his header ricocheted off the crossbar and back into play for Wits to clear. The Chiefs bench knew instantly that it was now Sundown’s title to lose.
The Clever Boys were without a doubt the better side in the first half, with S’thembiso Ngcobo twice coming close to giving his team the lead when his shot in the 15th minute was pushed for a corner kick by Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune. The in-form forward was again unlucky to see his 39thminute header shave the crossbar in a moment where Khune had little to no clear vision of the in-swinging corner kick from Jabulani Shongwe.
Wits are out of the title race but they threw all they could at Amakhosi in a performance worthy of the PSL.
The two sides, along with Orlando Pirates, have the best defensive record in the current campaign and it wasn’t surprising that when they went down the tunnel at the break the match was goalless.
Wits, especially, were solid following superb tackles from Siyabonga Nhlapho to break down Amakhosi attacks.
Chiefs’ remaining league matches include Free State Stars, AmaZulu and University of Pretoria, a game postponed from this Saturday to May 6 because of the CAF commitments.
Orlando Pirates are excited about the return of dribbling wizard Oupa Manyisa for their last home game of the season against Platinum Stars on Saturday. The influential Manyisa is back from suspension and is expected to be in the starting line-up in this Premiership match taking place at Orlando Stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm. Also expected to be back in action is deputy captain and defender Happy Jele, who has recovered from a hamstring injury but will first have to undergo a fitness test today.
“This is our last game at home this season, so we want to end the season on a high note by beating Stars again,” said Pirates communications manager Mickey Modisane.
Pirates walloped Dikwena 3-0 in their first-round match in Phokeng in December through goals by Manyisa, Thandani Ntshumayelo and Daine Klate.
It will be the third meeting between the two clubs this season.
The North West side, which boasts former Pirates players like Patrick Malokase, Benson Mhlongo and Siphelele Mthembu, won the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout finals.
Ntuli had the first look at goal with a 20m volley after good passing between Philani Shange and Festus Mbewe set up the opportunity in the seventh minute. But the ball would not dip in time to creep underneath Ronwen Williams’ crossbar.
Winger Philani Shange set up two further chances for Ntuli in the first half, both of which were untaken.
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