/ 2 March 2011

Vasco and Chiefs play to goalless draw

Kaizer Chiefs remain third on the Absa Premiership table after drawing 0-0 with Vasco da Gama at the Athlone Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Soweto side had the lions’ share of play, but could not muster the creativity needed to break down a resolute Vasco side.

A good crowd in the region of 12 000 turned out on a hot summer’s night in Athlone.

Chiefs got off to a positive start, though with little reward as Vasco worked hard to plug spaces and gaps.

The first time either keeper was tested came after 22 minutes when right back Tlou Molekwane let fly from 30 yards out and Posnett Omony did well to punch the ball away from the danger area.

The game remained tight, with AmaKhosi generally enjoying the upper hand, though the Cape side did manage to start stringing some passes around at the half-way mark.

There was a half chance when Sibusiso Zuma squared the ball from behind the line, but none of the Vasco players were on hand to finish the move off.

In the 41st minute, Keenin Lesch missed Vasco’s best chance of the half when he failed to connect with an attempted volley with the goal at his mercy.

Soon after, the Glamour Boys had their best opportunity of the opening 45 minutes when Abia Nale burst into the Vasco box, but he was unable to beat Omony, who made a brave block.

There was little change to the balance of the game after the break as AmaKhosi remained on top yet failed to trouble the Vasco goal.

Around the hour mark, both Stanton Lewis and Knowledge Musona were brought off the bench to provide more impetus up front.

The final 20 minutes were played almost exclusively in the Vasco half, mainly in and around their box, but somehow Chiefs just could not find the breakthrough. – Sapa