Kaizer Chiefs remain without a win since the turn of the year after a goalless draw against Moroka Swallows FC on Saturday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 0-0 Moroka Swallows
Date: 02 March 2024
Venue: FNB Stadium
Chiefs made four changes following their Nedbank Cup last 32 defeat on penalties to Milford, as Keagan Dolly returned alongside Yusuf Maart, Pule Mmodi and Ranga Chivaviro.
The game got off to a slow start, as Amakhosi looked to build momentum with passes that were not turning Swallows over.
The Birds initiated the first spark in the game on 20 minutes after Jacob Everson fired a volley unmarked just outside the box wide.
The Glamour Boys only came to life on the half-hour mark after Chivaviro had a big a chance with a free header that saved by shot-stopper Daniel Akpeyi against his former side and Ashley Du Preez found the back of the net from a rebound but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Swallows dropped deep in their own half in the closing phase of the first stanza as Amakhosi looked for ways to break them down but their attacks lacked urgency, with long balls into the box gathered by Akpeyi and their ball circulation not carving out chances.
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Chiefs had a bad start in the second stanza after they were reduced to ten men four minutes from the interval after Edmilson Dove was red-carded for a professional foul, after he denied the Birds a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Amakhosi struggled to contain Swallows and just before the hour-mark, Johnson made a tactical change as he sacrificed Dolly for defender Dillan Solomons.
Just after that the game was halted due to rain and lightning and after an hour or so, the match eventually resumed.
Chiefs were immediately under pressure as on 67 minutes, Mashweu Mphahlele almost broke the deadlock for Swallows with a deflected shot that wrong-footed goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma but he recovered to make a great save.
The Birds continued to pressurize Amakhosi and with eight minutes left, Gabadinho should have sent the visitors ahead after a rebound fell kindly on his path in the six-yard box but he lifted his volley narrowly over the crossbar.
The Birds were sensing opportunities to snatch the winner and Lindokuhle Mtshali had a big chance in the last minute after he received a square pass unmarked in the but but his low shot was saved by Bvuma, as Chiefs escaped with a third consecutive scoreless draw.
Here's how they lined up:
Kaizer Chiefs: 44. Bvuma, 4. Kwinika, 25. Msimango, 2. Dove, 19. Mashiane, 8. Maart, 17. Castillo, 13. Mmodi, 10. Dolly, 9. Du Preez, 7. Chivaviro.
Subs: 1. Petersen, 23. Hlanti, 27. Nj. Ngcobo, 5. Mthethwa, 12. Nk. Ngcobo, 18. Solomons, 21. Saile, 36. Duba, 28. Vilakazi.
Moroka Swallows: 16. Akpeyi, 36. Mphahlele, 45. Mngonyama, 24. Sibiya, 18. Damons, 19. Tshanini, 6. Mthethwa, 33. Khupe, 10. Mtshali, 11. Mhango, 37. Everson.
Subs: 31. Mbanjwa, 25. Mapoonya, 29. Koapeng, 17. Rampa, 80. Mahlonoko, 28. Sanou, 30. Mbanjwa, 77. Ngqonga, 50. Nyauza.
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