SuperSport United held Kaizer Chiefs to a 0-0 draw in an entertaining Premier Soccer League game at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Sunday.
Chiefs had the better chances and played with a swagger that had the hosts on the back foot for most of the game, but could not beat the superb Dennis Onyango in goal. The Glamour Boys were more productive going forward, especially through wingers David Mathebula and Simphiwe Tshabalala on the right and left respectively.
Tshabalala took on SuperSport defender Rudi Isaacs, but the right-back held his ground against the speedy winger and made good tackles. When Tshabalala beat Isaacs and made a cross into the box, keeper Onyango was alert to the danger and made timely interceptions. With Shaun Bartlett and Kaizer Motaung Jnr attacking the 18m area the keeper did well under the pressure.
Mathebula was more direct in his approach as he went for goal himself but also found Onyango alert to his efforts, which also went wide on occasion.
At the other end, Itumeleng Khune was just as attentive in the Chiefs goal although he had less to do than Onyango. The South Africa under-23 goalie only made a handful of saves as his defensive quartet kept a close watch on strikers Katlego Mphela and Elias Pelembe.
The latter had the best chance of the first half when he found space 16m from goal but shot agonisingly wide with Khune evidently beaten. Katlego Mashigo was lively on the left for United but ran out of ideas as the half wore on and his team too were subdued as Chiefs increased the pressure.
Nevertheless, no goal was to be registered as the teams went in to the break goalless.
A superb pass by Tshabalala to Mathebula in the box almost gave Chiefs the lead 10 minutes after the break. Mathebula’s lob, though, was just wide of the far post and when Motaung extended himself to put it in, he only found the side of the net.
The Amakhosi proceeded to dominate play and with Mabhuti Khenyeza and David Obua joining the tussle, more chances fell to the visitors. A long-range strike by Khenyeza looked lethal but it went straight to the arms of Onyango.
Uganda international David Obua also tried his luck with a speculative shot from way out that was easily caught by the SuperSport keeper.
Bartlett set-up Khenyeza for a good scoring chance after a good cross from right-back Jimmy Tau, but Onyango denied him with a fine save as he smothered the goal-bound effort with aplomb.
This summed up the game for Chiefs, who were denied victory by the brilliance of the SuperSport number one and both teams left Pretoria with a point after labouring under the hot Highveld sun. — Sapa