The Premier Soccer League clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Supersport United at Soccer City on Wednesday night was hailed to be the thriller of the season.
Instead, the Chiefs faithful sat through a 0-0 draw and they must have felt well let down afterwards, wondering why they didn’t stay home to watch European Champions League action on the telly.
The game swung both ways, with Supersport coming close on occasions that left the majority of Amakhosi supporters in the 25 000 crowd breathless, but Chiefs had the better chances and were kicking themselves harder than the ball afterwards as they felt their chase against Pirates on the ladder slip back a few rungs.
David Radebe was desperately close to opening up early on when he collected a good through-ball from Arthur Zwane. His control was superb, but he lost his head in the basics of shooting and went horribly wide of the mark.
Chiefs rallied and tried again and Gerald Sibeko set Cyril Nzama up with a well-placed free kick, but the ball once again went wide off Nzama’s head.
Supersport consolidated slowly and set themselves up well in front of goal, but their finishing was weak, especially that of Manuel Bucuane whose shot at goal could better be described as a pass to goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez.
Supersport also threw away their chances in the air, especially Lungisani Ndlela who went airborne above the Chiefs defence — but his header found only air.
The game then became as restless as the hapless Chiefs fans. The Amakhosi’s passes went awry, while Supersport decided on another tack and kept lofting the ball high. Neither tactics came even close to sealing the match either way, despite a desperate bid by Collins Mbesuma, who got the ball into the net but it was ruled off-side.
The Chiefs players left the pitch with eyes downcast and no wonder, because their lack of sharp finishing and timid approach see them continue their Castle Premiership campaign nine points down on Orlando Pirates and with only two games in hand.
Supersport, meanwhile, are making a habit of goalless draws, this being their third in as many games. — Sapa