Absa Premiership
Full Time: AmaZulu 0-0 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 22 November 2017
Venue: King Zwelithini Stadium
An inspired performance from Kaizer Chiefs captain Itumeleng Khune earned the Amakhosi a share of the spoils as they played to a 0-0 draw in an Absa Premiership match against AmaZulu at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday night.
AmaZulu started the better of the two teams and created the first decent scoring opportunity in the eighth minute, when Siyethemba Mnguni was played through on goal, but he was superbly denied by Itumeleng Khune from 16-yards out.
The home side were on the attack again in the 21st minute, but Michael Morton fired a thunderous 20-yard volley inches wide of the post.
Chiefs created their first chance of the game in the 26th minute, when a right-wing cross from Hendrick Ekstein, resulted in a goalmouth scramble inside the AmaZulu box – the loose ball falling for Philani Zulu, but he shot just over the target from 14-yards out.
In the 38th minute, AmaZulu came bitterly close to taking the lead, but they were thwarted after fine double save from Khune.
Initially, Mbongeni Gumede let fly with a stinging shot from the edge of the box, which was saved by an outstretched Khune, only for Phumlani Gumede to latch onto the follow-up but he was magnificently denied from close range by the Amakhosi goalkeeper yet again.
Neither side could break the deadlock before the break and entered half time all-square.
Eight minutes into the second half, AmaZulu were gifted a golden chance to open the scoring, when they were awarded a penalty after the referee adjudged Siyabonga Ngezana, to have handled the ball inside the box.
Rhulani Manzini stepped up for Usuthu, but saw his spot-kick saved by the feet of Khune.
In the 64th minute AmaZulu threatened the Chiefs goal again, when Mhlengi Cele broke through the Chiefs defence, but he fired inches over the crossbar from just inside the box.
A minute later the action switched to the other end of the field, when Philani Zulu drove down the left and crossed for Guztavo Paez, but he saw his ten-yard header well-saved by the AmaZulu keeper.
In the 79th minute, Bernard Parker almost found the back of the net, but he saw his low 18-yard shot brilliantly saved by the diving AmaZulu keeper.
The match ended on a rather sour note for AmaZulu, who were reduced to ten men in the 89th minute, when Phumlani Gumede received his second yellow card and was given his marching orders.
Chiefs threw players forward in the final minutes of the match, but could not find the winner as the game ended 0-0.
Here's how they lined up:
AmaZulu: 31. B Pule , 24. Sikhakhane, 25. P Gumede, 17. M Gumede, 36. Mtsweni, 8. Ncobeni (23. Karuru 60’), 4. Morton, 6. Ncube, 14. Mnguni, 9. Cele (33. Darpoh 92’), 16. Manzini (45. Ntsundwana 81’).
Chiefs: 32. Khune, 4. Cardoso, 20. Hadebe, 30. Ngezana, 22. Zulu, 31. Katsande, 12. Maluleka, 27. Ekstein (14. Tshabalala 67’), 9. Páez (28. Zuma 83’), 23. Molangoane, 25. Parker (6. Jayiya 88’).