Defending champions Kaizer Chiefs surrendered a 1-0 halftime lead and missed numerous inviting chances as they were held to a 1-1 draw against leaders and title favourites Orlando Pirates at Soccer City on Saturday.

Amakhosi started positively and got the regard on seven minutes through midfielder Emmanuel Ngobese with a superb that left Pirates Francis Chansa rooted to the ground. The Pirates defence was caught in no man’s land while trying to contain lethal Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma attacking from the right.

The leading PSL scorer received a delivery from Arthur Zwane and managed to get the ball into the danger area despite the attention of three rival defenders. The ball took a slight deflection and fell generously to Ngobese who fired at once to put Chiefs in the lead.

Pirates almost equalised three minutes later but Gift Leremi’s effort crashed against the woodwork, and captain Patrick Mabedi blocked a follow-up attack by Benedict Vilakazi.

The hosts suffered a major blow in the opening 15 minutes of the game as defender Cyril Nzama limped off with injury. Hopes of his recovery to reclaim his place were dashed as it was confirmed he could no longer be part of this derby and Derrick Spencer took his place. Chiefs suffered more woe later in the second half as defender Nhlanhla Kubeka also retired early through injury.

Pirates had a couple of chances to equalise before the break. A quickly taken free-kick by Jimmy Tau on 25 minutes found Vilakazi in a good position but the pint-sized midfielder’s shot lacked the power to trouble Chiefs keeper Rowen Fernandez. A minute later Pirates won a free-kick within a good striking ranger but Onyekachi Okonkwo’s attempt was blocked by the Chiefs wall.

The Buccaneers finished the first half the stronger of the two bulls but were let down by poor finishing and some discord in their final stage of attack.

While Pirates were relatively finding holes in the Chiefs defence, the hosts lacked firepower upfront as Mbesuma was generally bottled up by defender Tonic Chabalala.

Mbesuma did get a sniff at goal on 54 minutes but Okonkwo cleared his goal-bound attempt off the line. On the other hand Mbeuma’s strike partner David Radebe had ample space and was always in good positions but could not find the back of the net.

Radebe’s best or worst miss was on 58 minutes after Fabian McCarthy had released him with a cleaver pass. Faced with the keeper and an inviting net, Radebe shot wide. A goal for Chiefs at that stage could have killed off te match as a contest and this miss proved costly as Pirates surged forward in search of the equaliser.

That equaliser nearly came on 63 minutes but a combination of sharp reflex from Fernadez and good defending by Mabedi denied Lebohang Mokoena. But neither Mabedi nor Fernandez could do anything Vilakazi on 66 minutes. Mokoena had done well coming from the right to beat the challenge of Kubeka and slotting the ball in a congested box for Vilakazi to direct the ball into the net.

Amakhosi’s best chance to steal the maximum points presented itself on 72 minutes in the form of a good Zwane delivery to Spencer who drew a brilliant save from Chansa.

Pirates remain top with a three-point lead ahead of Amakhosi, who have the advantage of a game in hand, if that game translates into maximum points. And the championship title seems headed for a classic finish.

Teams:

Kaizer Chiefs: Fernandez, Kubeka (Mkhonza 71st), Mabedi, McCarthy, Nzama (Spencer 24th), Ngobese (Mendu 77th), Moshoeu, Nengomasha, Zwane, Radebe, Mbesuma.

Orlando Pirates: Chansa, Tau, Molefe, Chabalala, Musasa, Okwonkwo, Leremi, Vilakazi, Makhanya (Lekoelea 57th), Manenzhe, Mokoena (Mutapa 88th)

Referee: Jerome Damon