Unlucky AmaZulu held by Chiefs

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Wednesday Nov 22, 2017. 21:48

Kaizer Chiefs held AmaZulu to a 0-0 draw in an Absa Premiership match at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday night.

As a result, AmaZulu climb up to ninth spot on the league table, while Chiefs move up to sixth spot.

Chiefs shot-stopper Itumeleng Khune was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the first-half as the hosts searched for the opening goal.

Siyethemba Mnguni tried his luck from range in the sixth minute and Khune made a decent save to deny the AmaZulu midfielder.

Usuthu were in control of the match with Amakhosi under pressure, but the hosts could not get their shots on target.

Mhlengi Cele had a chance to make it 1-0 to AmaZulu in the 20th minute and the striker fired wide of the target.

Khune, who was having a good game, produced two back-to-back saves with seven minutes left before half-time.

The South African international denied Mbongeni Gumede and Phumlani Gumede within a minute.

The score was 0-0 at the interval following a first-half which was dominated by AmaZulu, but they could not beat Chiefs captain Khune.

Usuthu had a chance to break the deadlock eight minutes into the second-half after they were awarded a penalty.

However, Khune came to Chiefs' rescue once again as he made a good save to deny Manzini from the spot-kick.

Usuthu continued to launch attacks and Mhlengi Cele placed his effort over the crossbar in the 64th minute.

Boalefa Pule, Usuthu's shot-stopper, then produced a great save to deny Gustavo Paez two minutes later as Chiefs searched for the opening goal.

The former South Africa youth international also denied Chiefs striker Bernard Parker in the latter stages of the game.

AmaZulu defender Phumlani Gumede received a red card in the dying minutes of the match and ultimately, the game ended in a 0-0 draw.

AmaZulu 0
Chiefs 0

AmaZulu: Pule B, Gumede P, Gumede M, Mtsweni, Sikhakhane, Morton, Ncube, Mnguni, Ncobeni (Karuru 60'), Cele (Daporh 90'+1), Manzini (Ntsundwana 82').

Chiefs: Khune, Cardoso, Hadebe, Ngezana, Zulu, Katsande, Maluleka, Ekstein (Tshabalala 66'), Molangoane, Páez (Zuma 83'), Parker (Jayiya 88').