Chiefs still winless following Maritzburg stalemate

by Bertin Basson

Friday Aug 17, 2018. 21:58

Kaizer Chiefs poor start to the 2018-19 Absa Premiership continued as they were held to a goalless draw by a 10-man Maritzburg United outfit at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday evening.

Siphesihle Ndlovu received his marching orders after 15 minutes following a nasty challenge on Siyabonga Ngezana.

Despite being a man down, it was the team of choice to register the first attempt on goal as Deolin Mekoa fired his attempt inches wide a few minutes later following a defensive mistake by Willard Katsande.

Chiefs kicked into motion soon after as Khama Billiat squandered a golden chance before Hendrick Ekstein guided his attempt onto the woordwork with 26 minutes on the clock.

The Amakhosi continued to struggle in their attempts to break down a depleted Maritzburg outfit following the break as the rain continued to fall in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

Siphiwe Tshabalala rose off the bench in the closing stages and came close to finding the back of the net in the 80th minute. Richard Ofori forced into a top save to deny the midfielder; Siyanda Xulu was then in hand to clear the rebound as Maritzburg put their bodies on the line.

Despite a frantic finish to the encounter, Maritzburg were able to hold on as they registered their first point of the campaign.

Maritzburg United (0) 0

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 0

Maritzburg United: Ofori; Sanoka, De Reuck, Xulu, Tlhone, Buchanan (Farmer 78'), Shandu, Ndlovu, Mekoa, Makgalwa (Kunene 65'), Fileccia (Mokate 54').

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune; Mphahlele, Ngezana, Cardoso, Ntiya-Ntiya (Tshabalala 76'), Katsande, Mahlasela (Moon 59'), Ntshangase, Ekstein, Billiat, Castro (Parker 87').