PSL

Chiefs Fail To Fire At Celtic

411 Sep 17, 2013 - 08:25 pm

By Diogo Peral

ABSA Premiership

Result: Celtic 0-0 Chiefs

Date: 17 September 2013

Venue: Free State Stadium

Kaizer Chiefs were left to rue missed chances as they played out a 0-0 draw away to an organised Bloemfontein Celtic at the Free State Stadium on Tuesday night.

Amakhosi created the better of the opportunities throughout the first 45 minutes but some poor finishing allowed Celtic to start coming into the game. Celtic then looked to put the defending league champions under pressure in the second-half but neither side was able to find a goal.

Morgan Gould had the first real chance nine minutes into the game when he got up to meet a set-piece and sent his header inches over the crossbar.

Willard Katsande had an equally good chance from a corner three minutes later but his acrobatic attempt at the far post was just too high.

Siphiwe Tshabalala went down rather dramatically as he looked to earn a penalty soon after before Celtic finally responded with Joel Mogorsi thumping a low drive just wide with Itumeleng Khune scrambling.

Three minutes later the Phunya Sele Sele attacker was in the book after powerfully booting Tsepo Masilela who went in bravely with a header.

Knowledge Musona was showing signs of his confidence coming back as he was ready to fire at goal whenever he was given the slightest gap. The Zimbabwe striker first sent a free-kick just wide before a long-range volley dipped over the crossbar.

George Lebese picked out Reneilwe Letsholonyane perfectly in the 42nd minute but the Bafana Bafana midfielder powered his header off target while Khune was not convincing with a low shot that looked set to bounce in front of him but no Celtic player was following up to gobble up the rebound.

Chances dried up a bit in the second period with Musona hitting a shot off target three minutes in before Chiefs had to clear off the line 10 minutes later.

Ruzaigh Gamildien had his head in his hands after unleashing a superb shot which whistled just past the angle while Chiefs fans started getting restless with 22 minutes to go as Tshabalala sent a free-kick well over.

Kingston Nkhatha saw the ball drop for him in the 77th minute after Celtic messed up their clearance but the forward struggled to get the ball under control and his shot was closed down from inside the area.

Letsholonyane then set up the Zimbabwe striker with a sensational backheel off of a pass from Tshabalala but his final shot was scuffed and rolled wide while a patched up Tefu Mashamaite failed to power his header home with seven minutes to go.

Chiefs were desperately looking for a late winner and a composed passing move ended with Letsholonyane stretching to head over from close range while substitute Lehlohonolo Majoro just missed a cross from Tshabalala.

There was to be no late drama though as the game ended goalless with both sides settling for a point.

This is how they line up:

Chiefs: Itumeleng Khune, Siboniso Gaxa, Tefu Mashamaite, Morgan Gould, Tsepo Masilela, Willard Katsande, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siphiwe Tshabalala, George Lebese, Kingston Nkhatha, Knowledge Musona.

Celtic: Patrick Tignyemb, Tumelo Mogapi, Thabo Nthethe, Clayton Daniels, Wandisile Letlabika, Vuyani Ntanga, John Arwuah, Lerato Lamola, Musa Nyatama, Letsie Koapeng, Joel Mogorosi.

Read: Starting XI: Bloem Celtic v Chiefs