Polokwane City hold TS Galaxy to 0-0 draw
TS Galaxy were left ruing missed opportunities after a goalless draw with Polokwane City on Saturday evening denied them the chance to climb into third place in the Betway Premiership.
The visitors made two changes, restoring McBeth Mahlangu and Junior Zindonga to the starting line-up in place of Igor Silva and Puso Dithejane, while City handed youngster Siyabonga Mashini his second start of the campaign.
City nearly struck inside two minutes when Sibusiso Tshabalala headed over from a Simon Ramabu corner, while Mehdi Ouamri later forced a sharp save from goalkeeper Brian Bwire.
Mashini's evening ended early as he was replaced by Bonginkosi Dlamini just before the interval due to injury.
TS Galaxy enjoyed dangerous moments after the break, with chances falling to Mpho Mvelase and Ouamri, but Polokwane remained a threat as Lebohang Nkaki twice headed narrowly wide from Ramabu deliveries.
Both sides fashioned late openings, yet neither found the composure to break the deadlock.
Chippa fail to climb out of last place after goalless draw at Siwelele
Chippa United's struggles in the Betway Premiership continued as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Siwelele FC on Saturday evening, keeping them rooted to the bottom of the table.
Chippa, coming off a 2-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates on Tuesday, welcomed Khaya Mfecane and Goodman Mosele back into the starting line-up and showed impressive intensity despite their poor form.
Siwelele coach Lehlohonolo Seema, facing his former club, made several changes of his own, bringing in Aphiwe Baliti, Keabetswe Khonyane, Ghampani Lungu and Vincent Pule.
Pule nearly opened the scoring early on after being played through by Siviwe Magidigidi, but he dragged his effort wide.
The hosts created the better chances late in the first half, with Relebohile Mokhuoane heading wide from a Grant Margeman corner, and the match remained goalless at the break.
In the second half, both sides pushed forward with purpose. Siwelele introduced on-loan Samkelo Zwane and youngster Thabang Mahlangu as they searched for a winner, but Chippa held firm to claim a point.
Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye believes TS Galaxy midfielder Puso Dithejane has all the attributes required to shine at one of South Africa’s biggest clubs, warning that Amakhosi may live to regret letting him go.
Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Joseph “Banks” Setlhodi has launched a scathing assessment of Amakhosi’s technical setup, claiming co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze lack the expertise required to lead the club forward.
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes the club no longer needs to dip into the January transfer market for a striker, following the return to fitness and impressive showing of Sifiso Luthuli.
Orlando Pirates defender Olisa Ndah has expressed his gratitude to the Buccaneers’ supporters after making a successful return to action in the Carling Black Label Cup triumph.
