Kaizer Chiefs extended their winless streak to four consecutive league games after being held to a 1-1 draw by Free State Stars on Saturday evening, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.
The encounter got off to a lively start, with both sides content to seek out one another’s weaknesses in the opening exchanges.
Chiefs were awarded the first real chance of the game when Gustavo Paez teed up George Maluleka in the 20th minute, but the midfielder fired his effort wide from 12 yards out.
Stars looked content with soaking up the Chiefs pressure and playing on the counter-attack, with the pace of Sinethemba Jantjie causing the Chiefs defence a few scares.
Maluleka came agonisingly close to opening the scoring in the 37th minute, but his curled effort went inches over the crossbar, with the keeper well beaten.
The two teams went into the half-time break deadlocked at 0-0.
The visitors started the second half like a house on fire and signalled their attacking intent. Jantjie showed his class when he sold Siyabonga Ngezana a dummy before firing a fierce shot towards Itumeleng Khune in the 53rd minute, but the goalkeeper did well to keep the effort out.
Tshabalala got the better of two defenders in style, but was unable to fire home a minute later.
Free State Stars took the lead in the 64th minute after Chiefs were found guilty of giving away possession. Vilakazi was given space from outside the area, and his deflected effort left Khune with no chance.
Chiefs, however, equalised three minutes later as Bernard Parker was found with a pass inside the area before firing home.
Steve Komphela introduced Bhongolwethu Jayiya for Philani Zulu in the 74th minute as he upped his team efforts at finding another goal.
Mobbie almost found the winner in the 79th minute for the visitors, but a timely intervention by Khune ensured that the scores remained level.
Neither side were able to break the deadlock in the remaining minutes as the two teams were forced to settle for a point each.
Chiefs XI: 16. Khune, 4. Cardoso, 20. Hadebe, 30. Ngezana, 21. Zulu, 13. Katsande, 12. Maluleka, 14. Tshabalala, 23. Molangoane, 9. Páez, 25. Parker.
Stars XI: 23. Sangare, 2. Mobbie, 19. Mbhele, 22. Keita, 21.Phungwayo, 5. Masehe, 50. Vilakazi, 26. Dlamini, 13. Maphakisa, 11. Jantjie, 33. Abrahams.
Photo: Gerhard Duraan/Backpagepix
