Teenage Hadebe netted in stoppage time to give Kaizer Chiefs a 1-0 victory against Free State Stars on Wednesday evening, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.

The visitors started the brighter of the two teams and should have went ahead in the fourth minute, but midfielder Hendrik Ekstein miscued his effort from within the area.

El La Koto came close to taking the lead a minute later as goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune failed to hold on to a cross into the area, but defender Daniel Cardoso came to his rescue.

Khune made up for his mistake in the 13th minute as he tipped over Paulos Masehe’s stinging effort. Stars enjoyed a good spell of possession and were unfortunate not to take the lead in the 33rd minute as Sinethemba Jantjie’s effort went inches wide of the post.

The home side emerged with more of an attacking intent in the second half and came close through former Amakhosi striker Siphelele Mthembu.

Chiefs upped their efforts at opening the scoring and thought they had taken the lead close to the hour mark; however, goalkeeper Badra Sangare made two fine saves in quick succession to deny Leonardo Castro and Ekstein respectively.

Steve Komphela made the first change of the night, bringing on veteran striker Bernard Parker for Ryan Moon. The Chiefs mentor later opted for an all-out attack as Dumisani Zuma replaced defender Philani Zulu.

Despite dominating possession stakes, Chiefs failed to create chances in the final third with Stars content on sitting back and defending.

In the end, neither side were able to break the deadlock as both teams were forced to settle for a point each.

Chiefs XI: 32. Khune, 4. Cardoso, 2. Mphahlele, 20. Hadebe, 3. Mathoho, 22. Zulu, 13. Katsande, 27. Ekstein, 14. Tshabalala, 8. Castro, 29. Moon.

FS Stars XI: Mthembu, Sangare, Tchilimbou, Mobbie, Keita, Mahamutsa, Phungwayo, Jantjie, Dlamini, Masehe, Vilakazi

Photo: Frikkie Kaap/Backpagepix