Kaizer Chiefs sparkle but lack the firepower to finish off champions Mamelodi Sundowns

KAIZER CHIEFS (0) (0)

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS (0) (0)

Kaizer Chiefs should have easily put Mamelodi Sundowns away after showing their rivals flames both on and off the pitch on Wednesday night.

At a buzzing FNB Stadium, which was almost filled to capacity, Chiefs were unlucky to be held to a goalless stalemate by the champions in their Betway Premiership match.

The result didn’t dampen the mood of the Chiefs fans, who completely outmuscled their counterparts in the stands as they saluted the team after the game.

The draw will feel like a loss for Chiefs, as a win here would have seen them continue their perfect start to the season after winning all three league games so far.

Sundowns, meanwhile, for the first time in many visits to this part of Soweto, escaped defeat by the skin of their teeth.

As a result, this draw might add pressure on coach Miguel Cardoso, who arrived already under fire following the team’s lacklustre results and performances.

The Johannesburg skies defied the approaching summer season as they stayed dark for most of the afternoon — almost telling a tale of Sundowns’ recent fortunes.

Sundowns, the best team in the land over the last eight years, have endured a gloomy patch, including losing to rivals Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semi-finals on Saturday.

Chiefs, on the other hand, came into this game on cloud nine, having won all three matches since the start of the season.

The Amakhosi lit up the night for both their team and the visitors, starting with flares and fireworks as the players walked onto the pitch, creating pure euphoria.

And they didn’t stop there. They lit up the atmosphere where it mattered most — on the pitch — as Sundowns were left chasing shadows despite all the light.

The contrast in the dugouts was telling: Nasreddine Nabi calmly consulting with his lieutenants, while all of Sundowns’ coaches were on their feet at once.

It was a tense and nervy situation for the Brazilians, not helped by referee Masixole Bambiso, whose calls went against them at times.

Bambiso’s decisions were either spot-on or questionable. At one point, he wrongly flagged Iqraam Rayners offside when the striker was clearly onside.

But for all the euphoria Chiefs created for their supporters and themselves, it seemed midfielder Thabo Cele didn’t get the invite.

Cele struggled, repeatedly losing possession in midfield, much to the frustration of Nabi, who simply wanted his troops to build play and bring smiles to the Chiefs faithful.

Nabi must have grown concerned, though, as his team dominated possession without creating any real chances in the final third.

Godly Lilepo nearly calmed Nabi’s nerves in the best way possible, unleashing a thunderbolt from just past the centre line that forced Ronwen Williams into a brilliant save.

The resultant corner was wasted by Chiefs, and Sundowns nearly switched off Chiefs’ lights with a swift counter-attack, as Teboho Mokoena forced a save from Brandon Petersen.

Chiefs may not have found their goal in the first half, but they weren’t done putting on a show — unveiling former Sundowns midfielder Lebohang Maboe in grand fashion.

Once again, flares and fireworks lit up the stadium as the attacker was welcomed back home, having cut his football teeth at the club.

Chiefs continued to dominate in the second half, but for all their bright performance — flares, fireworks, and floodlights included — they could only reward themselves with a draw.