Kaizer Chiefs’ hopes of retaining the Castle Premiership title were dented at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday night when struggling Jomo Cosmos held the champions to a goalless draw.
The result leaves log leaders Orlando Pirates in the driving seat. The Buccaneers head the standings with 46 points — eight more than second-placed Chiefs, who have now only one match in hand over their Soweto rivals.
Cosmos surprised title-chasing Chiefs in an entertaining first 45 minutes. Ezenkosi had the better of the exchanges, and it was Chiefs goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez who was the busier of the two ‘keepers.
But it was Cosmos ‘keeper Avril Phali who was called into action after six minutes when he did well to fist Arthur Zwane’s clever corner over his crossbar.
Cosmos striker Chris Katongo was wide in the 20th minute, and two minutes later he brought out the best in Fernandez. But Cosmos should have scored when Nkosinathi Nhleko beat Fernandez only to see Chiefs defender Patrick Mabedi clear his goal-bound shot in the 30th minute.
At the other end, Phali did well to deny leading Premier Soccer League scorer Collins Mbesuma an opening with a fine, close-range save in the 35th minute.
Fernandez earned his pay when he pulled off a great save from Sam Magalefa on the stroke of half-time.
Chiefs lacked urgency in the second half and showed little fire. Their best effort to break the deadlock came from a mishit shot from Gerald Sibeko that sailed harmlessly over the Cosmos crossbar in the 64th minute.
Although Chiefs had the better of the second half, they failed to capitalise and the story of their night showed when defender Patrick Mayo missed the Cosmos goal from close range in the 81st minute. — Sapa