Stuart Baxter © Backpagepix

Both Kaizer Chiefs and Free State Stars dropped their first points of the Absa Premiership season as they played to a 0-0 at the Charles Mopeli Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Stars saw a lot of the ball in the opening stages of the match, but despite all their possession they were unable to really cause the Chiefs defence much concern.

That was largely due to the style in which the Amakhosi were defending because every time they lost the ball the Chiefs players were quick to get numbers behind the ball.

As the half progressed, though, Chiefs began to find their footing and looked the more threatening side going forward.

And in the 15th minute Siyabonga Nkosi was able to create the Phefeni Glamour Boys’ first chance on goal.

A sublime pass from Nkosi split the Stars defence and saw Kingston Nkhatha through on goal, but the Chiefs striker saw his 16-yard shot well saved by Kennedy Mweene.

Finally, in the 33rd minute the Ea Lla Koto were able to create their first chance on goal from a set-piece.

A corner was whipped into the box and Paulus Masehe rose above the Chiefs defence to get his head to the ball, but he saw his six-yard effort go inches wide of the post.

The last chance of the half fell to Chiefs and also came from a corner-kick in the 43rd minute.

Siphiwe Tshabalala whipped the ball into the box from the set-piece to find Eric Mathoho unmarked at the back post, but he squandered the opportunity as he headed wide form four yards out.

The second half saw Chiefs’ threat going forward die out and it was Stars who looked the more threatening in the second 45, albeit with most of their chances coming from long range.

The Ea Lla Koto’s best effort on goal came in the 70th minute when Luyolo Nomandela let fly from 25-yards out, but Itumeleng Khune produced a great acrobatic save to deny him.

That was as close as we came to seeing a goal in this 0-0 stalemate.

The result sees Chiefs stay on the top of the table with seven points and Stars right on their heels only second in the league on goal difference.

Free State Stars (0) 0

Teams

Stars: Mweene; Sambu (Esterhuizen 93’), Ouro-Akoriko, Cardoso, Gege, Mashego, Wiltwer, Masehe, Wome, Nomandela, Mvula (Berrian 88’)

Chiefs: Khune; Gaxa, Mathoho, Mashamaite, Jambo, Dladla (Lebese 89’), Nkosi, Letsholonyane, Tshabalala, Parker, Nkhatha (Majoro 72’)