Derby draw no surprise
THIS game had draw written all over it before it started.
With five men across the midfield for both sides and one striker at either end of the pitch, Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter and his Orlando Pirates counterpart Eric Tinkler were not playing to win yesterday.
They were cautious in their approach, especially in the first period when the teams were sizing up one another. This is why the Soweto derby is no longer the entertaining clash it used to be.
The second half was better because both sides tried to push for a winner. But the goalkeepers were hardly tested, which revealed these Soweto giants had become content with a single point when facing off.
The first touches were not always great and shots at goal went astray when chances were presented.
Leaders Amakhosi, the favourites coming into this game, struggled to put together a string of passes in the first half, losing the ball when entering the Pirates half while on counter attack.
The first time Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo touched the ball was after 25 minutes into the game, when he came off his line to stop Tsepo Masilela’s cross.
Amakhosi’s first real opportunity was presented after half an hour, when an unmarked Eric Mathoho directed his close range header from a Bernard Parker set piece over the bar.
Pirates were no better. They may have had the most possession in the first period, but did nothing with it.
Amakhosi were much better in the second half. The hosts came close to breaking the deadlock twice in the first 10 minutes.
First, midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane forced a save from Mhlongo with a left-footed curling shot, struck from outside the box. Not too long after that, Siphiwe Tshabalala s deflected shot came off the crossbar.
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On the hour mark, Tinkler substituted Lehlohonolo Majoro with Kermit Erasmus.
Bucs were no threat with one man upfront and you would have thought Tinkler would have played the pair together to unsettle Amakhosi’s defence.
Sifiso Myeni’s well struck shot hit the crossbar a few minutes after the substitution.
Amakhosi played aggressively towards the end of the clash, but still could not get the winner.
Baxter felt the game was entertaining.
Both teams went for it… going for three points. At the end of the day, you have to be satisfied with the one point you get. It’s probably the best 0-0 derby anyone will see in a long time.”
Tinkler said Pirates came to FNB Stadium to try and close the gap on leaders Chiefs.
We came here to try and collect three points. We did not win and it means we do not gain any ground.”
Amakhosi moved up to 51 points, while Pirates are now on 37.
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