Kaizer Chiefs will have to wait for their next game to be crowned this year’s Castle Premier League champions after being held to a goalless draw by Santos at the Athlone Stadium on Sunday.
However, the AmaKhosi appeared more intent on not losing this match rather than winning it as they frequently played five men in defence.
The game was played in front of a full house and in a good spirit and was well handled by referee Ace Ngcobo, who allowed play to flow.
Only two bookings took place — Santos’s Jonathan Solomons in the 52nd minute and Chiefs substitute Stanton Fredericks in the 80th minute.
In the 11th minute Chiefs’ Kabamba Musasa crossed and Junior Khanye scooped the ball over the bar. At the other end Marawaan Bantam made good ground down the right, centred, and Solomons’ first-time shot was saved by Brian Baloyi.
In the 13th minute John ”Shoes” Moshoeu had his piledriver brilliantly saved by Brenden Wardle.
In the 17th minute Chiefs’ Patrick Mabedi moved smartly down the right and his hard shot went into the side rigging.
Wardle again came to Santos’s rescue when he saved a point-blank shot from Musasa in the 27th minute.
Chiefs were fortunate in the 30th minute when Musa Ongao’s shot was blocked on the goalline by Fabian McCarthy with Baloyi out of his goals.
In the 50th minute Moshoeu was unlucky with a 20m free kick that hit the upright and came out.
In the 72nd minute Tyren Arendse was unfortunate when his header was saved just under the crossbar by Baloyi. — Sapa