Tape-inspired Galaxy frustrate blunt Chiefs

Mfundo Vilakazi and Sphesihle Maduna © Backpagepix

Kaizer Chiefs were frustrated by a stubborn TS Galaxy side in their final Betway Premiership match of the year as the two teams drew 0-0 at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Despite the draw, Amakhosi moved one place up into the fourth spot - two points behind second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns and four behind leaders, Orlando Pirates. Chiefs will resume their league campaign with a match against Lamontville Golden Arrows at the FNB Stadium on 20 January.

The Rockets, on the other hand, remained eighth in the standings - three points behind Chiefs and four clear of ninth-placed Richards Bay. Coach Adnan Beganovic's side will be on the road when the league campaign resumes as they take on AmaZulu FC at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on 25 January.

Goalkeeper Ira Eliezer Tape came into the match oozing with confidence, having been named Man of the Match after the game against Polokwane City last weekend. The Galaxy goalkeeper maintained his great form as he made two decent saves to deny the lively Mfundo Vilakazi in the opening 30 minutes of the match.

However, Tape was beaten in the 19th minute, but Flavio Da Silva was ruled to have been offside after hitting the back of the net. The Ivory Coast international continued to frustrate Amakhosi as he pulled off fantastic saves to deny Da Silva in the 31st minute and Khanyisa Mayo from point-blank range in the 32nd minute. The score was 0-0 at the interval thanks to Tape's brilliant goalkeeping.

Amakhosi continued to exert pressure on the Rockets' defence after the restart, but they were frustrated by the hosts' defence, which was marshalled by Khulumani Ndamane. Co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedriz Kaze introduced the attack-minded duo of Glody Makabi Lilepo and Asanele Velebayi in the 62nd minute.

Lilepo had an opportunity to snatch a late winning goal from a free-kick in the 76th minute, but the DR Congolese winger was denied by the eventual Man of the Match Tape at the near-post. Galaxy were reduced to 10 players in stoppage time after Nhlanhla Mgaga was sent off, but the hosts stood firm at the back and the game ended in a 0-0 draw.

Galaxy 0

Chiefs 0

Galaxy: Tape, Motaung, Mahlangu, Ndamane, Letsoenyo, Dlamini (Mbunjana 46'), Maduna (Nkosi 82'), Mahlambi (Keita 46'), Mvelase (Mgaga 62'), Zindoga, Ouamri (Letsoalo 68')

Chiefs: Petersen, Mako, Kwinika, Miguel, Solomons, Matlou (Baartman 80'), Maboe, Shabalala (Lilepo 62'), Vilakazi (Velebayi 62'), Mayo (Ndlovu 80'), Da Silva (Duba 77')