If defences win championships then Kaizer Chiefs had better get their defenders to score the goals that will win them matches after their attack imploded in a goalless draw against Baroka at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban Wednesday night.
Chiefs coach Steve Komphela praised his team's defence in the build-up to this tie after they reeled off six clean sheets in all competitions before this outing. Another one Wednesday night will do wonders for their defensive statistics, but little for their upward mobility.
Chiefs failed to retake the lead after they dropped to third place ahead of the night's programme, following Supersport United and Bidvest Wits' mid-week wins. This was their third match without scoring, even after introducing three fresh attackers in the second half.
With some luck their defenders might have won them the match too, but overall the Baroka outfielders had better of the scoring chances late in the game. Such was Chiefs desperation for a goal that even goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune tried his boot at a free-kick, but in vain.
The match started like a chess game. For the opening 20 minutes Chiefs probed for openings like a chess grandmaster and Baroka's pawns did well to block their advances.
From open play Chiefs were little threat. It was a different story at set plays. Corner kicks and free kicks gave them the upper hand against lanky Baroka custodian Oscarine Masuluke who was late for several aerial attacks.
Defenders Lorenzo Gordinho and Erick Mathoho gave the Baroka backline a few anxious moments, particularly when the former beat Masuluke to a free-kick from Siphiwe Tshabalala in the 25th minute.
Mathoho then nodded the ball high when newcomer Keagan Buchanan took over the free-kick responsibilities.
Lone striker Edward Manqele tried to forage for whatever came his way. The man who was on the transfer list at the start of the campaign, but who opted to fight for his future at Naturena, did well to challenge for a long punt from Itumeleng Khune and had his shot deflected for a corner in the 37th minute.
For the little possession Baroka enjoyed they endeavoured to make as much out of it as possible. They served notice of their attacking abilities with two sharp corners that had Khune doing acrobatics.
On the stroke of half-time the PSL rookies fashioned the best chance to score. Mathoho lost possession to midfielder Richard Matloga, who aimed a cross into the box for striker Cleopas Dube, but defender Tsepo Masilela intervened.
The former Bafana Bafana left-back was one of three changes to the Amakhosi line-up that drew goalless against Orlando Pirates at the weekend. The other two additions were Tshabalala and Manqele, while winger William Twala, defender Sibusiso Khumalo and striker Michelle Katsvairo were benched.
It was a different second half. The Limpopo outfit were more enterprising and again could have taken the lead against a cagey Chiefs team.
Ramahlwe Mphahlele gave away the ball to Sipho Moeti and he first-timed a vicious volley to Khune who parried for a corner.
The longer the game went on goalless, Baroka grew stronger. Moeti was a handful for the Chiefs defence with his energy and eagerness to take players on. The steady support from his left-back Tshepiso Lietsisa gave him more freedom to venture forward.
The Durban Chiefs crowd bellowed through their vuvuzelas and signalled with their hands for a change. Coach Steve Komphela duly obliged, and Katsvairo replaced Manqele, while Twala took over from Ekstein.
Despite the changes, if any team was likely to score it was Baroka, who extended their unbeaten run to four matches in all competitions.
Independent Media