They huffed and they puffed and found themselves with a host of scoring opportunities, but ultimately Kaizer Chiefs were entangled in Jomo Cosmos’ disciplined, defensive web during a goalless Premier Soccer League draw at the FNB Stadium on Saturday night.
In the process, Amakhosi’s hopes of retaining the league title for a third successive year took a further nose dive following on the comprehensive 3-1 defeat at the hands of log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday.
On a damp, uncomfortable night that increasingly matched the mood of the frustrated Chiefs’ supporters in a 12 000-strong crowd, Amakhosi emerged from a tight, intense encounter a point behind Sundowns — but from two extra games and with a vastly inferior goal difference.
Yet, it could have been a different story had David Radebe not ballooned the ball over the crossbar in the 62nd minute when a raking, pin-point pass from Ugandan international David Obua left the Chiefs striker in a position from which it looked easier to score than miss.
Ten minutes later, the ball was cleared off the goal line after a frantic scrimmage in the Cosmos penalty area, and Chiefs’ shots from long range by Fabian McCarthy and Patrick Mayo whistled over the crossbar.
But generally Cosmos contained Chiefs and deserved a share of the spoils for their discipline and tight marking in defence — and ability to transform play with incisive counter-attacks.
It was only in the final 15 minutes that Cosmos lost a measure of their composure and surrendered possession all too easily with wild and aimless clearances.
But although Chiefs substituted strikers Radebe and Luis Agyemang in turn and coach Ernst Middendorp’s work-rate on the touchline was the equal of that of most of the players, a much-needed goal eluded the Amakhosi.
Even the sprightly Obua in a more forward attacking role could not provide goals for the championship-challenging team with a modest 31 goals from 23 matches. — Sapa