ABSA Premiership

 

Result: Chiefs 0-0 Pirates

 

Date: 9 March 2013

 

Venue: FNB Stadium

 

Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates couldn’t be separated as they played out a hard-fought 0-0 draw in the Soweto derby at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

 

The match lacked clear-cut chances for both sides in the opening 45 minutes as they lost possession constantly in midfield while the second period followed a similar patter – though Senzo Meyiwa was forced into a few good saves.

 

Amakhosi enjoyed the first chance of the half with a free-kick at the edge of the area. Bernard Parker whipped it in and it took a deflection off the head of Ndumiso Mabena but dropped just wide of the far post.

 

Daine Klate sent a free-kick straight at Itumeleng Khune in the 15th minute and the Sea Robbers would be forced into an early substitution five minutes later as Tlou Segolela came on for the injured Thulasizwe Mbuyane.

 

Collins Mbesuma then scuffed a shot straight at the goalkeeper while Siphiwe Tshabalala drew a great save from Senzo Meyiwa with a set-piece.

 

Thabo Matlaba had Khune worried in the 35th minute when he let rip from far out but his dipping strike fell just over the crossbar.

 

Klate had a great chance when latching onto the ball in the area but he slipped his shot straight at the goalkeeper as a tense half came to an end.

 

Thsbalala brought another great save from Meyiwa in the 58th minute after Collins Mbesuma had wasted a chance in the 52nd minute after the ball had fallen kindly for him.

 

Tefu Mashamaite couldn’t get enough power on a header in the 76th minute while Tlou Segolela was denied a penalty after seemingly being fouled by Tshabalala.

 

Amakhosi looked to finish the game strongly as Willard Katsande flashed a header just over the crossbar with three minutes to go while Sthembiso Ngcobo worked Meyiwa into another terrific save.

 

Ngcobo then saw a pass come off his shin after Chiefs had got in behind in the dying seconds as the game ended in a stalemate.

 

Chiefs: Itumeleng Khune, Siboniso Gaxa, Eric Mathoho, Tefu Mashamaite, Morgan Gould, Tsepo Masilela, Willard Katsande, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Bernard Parker, Kingston Nkhatha.

 

Pirates: Senzo Meyiwa, Happy Jele, Thabo Matlaba, Lucky Lekgwathi, Siyabonga Sangweni, Andile Jali, Oupa Manyisa, Thulasizwe Mbuyane, Daine Klate, Ndumiso Mabena, Collins Mbesuma.

For more details go to http://www.soccerladuma.co.za