This top of the table clash was meant to bring down the curtain in great style but those

who shelved their holiday plans left Soccer City with nothing to ignite their festive

season as Kaizer Chiefs laboured to a 0-0 draw against Santos.

For Santos it was a result they had hoped for especially playing away from home against a

side that has recently been crowned Coca-Cola Cup champions. Chiefs on the other hand made

their intentions clear that maximum points and nothing less would put a cherry on top as

they go into the Christmas break.

The Glamous Boys did everything and at some point looked as though they would snatch that

crucial goal. Misdirected shots and some brilliant goalkeeping from Brendon Wardle put

paid to their plans.

Early exchanges between the two sides failed to produce the desired effect. Chiefs were

first to knock on the Santos goals with Dlamini playing a shot pass to veteran midfielder

Moshoeu but his shot went just wide. A minute later Santos also tried to test the Amakhosi

defence. The lanky Ithier knocked down to the league's joint-leading scorer Bantam but his

shot also went off the mark.

Radebe got a rare start in the Amakhosi line-up, his second start since the beginning of

the season. He had a chance on 21 minutes after a fine delivery from Pule but his effort

went wide. Again on 25 minute he was presented with a perfect opportunity when he found

himself in clear sight on goals but his attempt to log the Santos keeper was easily saved.

Midfield sensation Jabu Pule was at his usual best and proved to be a menace on the Santos

defenders. The Bafana international sailed past defenders Edries Burton and John Mbidzo as

though they were mere objects and released a thunder strike which almost troubled Wardle.

The Santos keeper could not make a clean save at first attempt and had to thank his alert

defence for their quick reaction to clear off the line.

Amakhosi defender Bevan Fransman was withdrawn from the under-23 squad for the Olympic

qualifier against Algeria and deployed at left back. The youngster never disappointed as

he thwarted almost every Santos initiatives that came from the left. The even had to

withdraw Kamal Sait on 76 in favour of Thokozane Xaba but the Chiefs defence was on this

occasion never troubled.

The crowd got excited when striker Kabamba Musasa was preparing to come on. The DRC

international had given the Amakhosi an unexpected 1-0 victory against rivals Orlando

Pirates a week ago after coming from the bench. With no indication of where the goals were

likely to come from, Musasa was expected to emulate his match-winning performance from a

week ago when he came on for Radebe but not on this occasion.

Musasa did look like he could score and also provide some brilliant runs that could have

benefited Amakhosi. Just on 74 minutes, the DRC hitman provided a quick back-heel to

Moshoeu but the veteran had not anticipated such act from Musasa and the Santos defence

promptly cleared their lines.

Chiefs remain top of the log and they cannot be overtaken even if Ajax Cape Town win their

match against Golden Arrows later in the evening. It will be long before the Glamour Boys

return to competitive action as they have provided five players to the national team for

Tunisia 2004 and as such will be entitled to a postponement of their league programme.

Teams:

Kaizer Chiefs: 16-Baloyi, 3-Fransman, 6-McCarthy, 5-Mabedi, 4-Nzama, 10-Fredericks (Mooki

68), 91-Moshoeu, 8-Nengomasha, 11-Pule, 31-Radebe (Musasa 58), 20-Dlamini (Motaung Jr 79).

Santos: 29-Wardle, 6-Bax, 2-Otieno (Chris Tsotetsi 62), 23-Burton, 3-Francis, 16-Sait

(Xaba 76), 14-Mchunu, 7-Bantam, 4-Mbidzo, 9-Ithier, 22-Solomons (Tsiu 86).

Referee: Simon Motua

Yellow cards: Francis 63, Pule 66,