Caution:

Kaizer Chiefs were held to a goalless draw by stubborn Santos in an entertaining match played to close to 15 000 screaming fans at Mecca of South African Football, Orlando Stadium.

The stadium that will be home to the Glamour Boys for the next three years saw first 200 women to arrive getting a free entrance as part of Woman’s Day celebrations on August 9.

The Glamour Boys back at Orlando Stadium were the first to threaten when David Mathebula forced Tshepo Motsoeneng to make save inside first five minutes of the game. This was from a free kick outside the 18 area box.

Lawrence “Spanner” Molekwane making his league debut troubled the visitors with his crosses but the score remain remained goalless at the half hour mark as Chiefs looked to undo the back to back defeats they suffered from the Cape Town outfit last season.

In the 34th minute, Tinashe Nengomasha back for the league game after missing MTN8 quarter final fixture against Bidvest Wits midweek watched his strike hitting woodwork as Chiefs searched for an opener. This was following a superb pass from on song Josta Dladla.

At half time fans had a chance to see Kaizer Chiefs legends who had been invited as guests by the Club, most of them like “Jingles” Parriera, Lucky Stalliano, Ryder Mofokeng made their names in this very ground back in the 70s and the 80s.

This seemed to have inspired the current crop as they came back smoking in the second stanza following a goalless first half, Chiefs attached left right and centre but failed to break Santos defence.

In the 65th minute Itumeleng Khune pulled a save of the night when he denied substitute, Erwin Isaacs from twelve yards after being brilliantly set up by Ryan Chapman.

Two minutes later winger Mandla Masango forced a good save out of Tshepo Motsoeneng, 0-0 at Orlando Stadium. Erwin Isaacs was in the thick of things again minutes later as his 35 metre drive went just over Itumeleng Khune’s bar. He then missed when it looked easier to score than to miss as his shot went narrowly wide as the visitors hoped to snatch points from Chiefs.

At the end of the game both teams had to settle for a draw. Chiefs will on Tuesday, 18 August 2009 travel to Pretoria for a meeting with champions, SuperSport United.

Chiefs: Khune, Molekwane, Masenamela, Sweswe, Nengomasha, Ntuka, Masango (Motaung Jr. 82), Mathebula, Nhleko (Musona 57) Dladla, Nale (Sibeko 70)

Substitutes not used: Ngobeni, Zwane, Lebese, Rooi

Technical Team

Vladimir Vermezovic (Head Coach)

Donald Khuse (Assistant Coach)

Rainer Dinkelacker (Goalkeeper Coach)

Elsa Storm (Fitness Trainer)

Santos: Motsoeneng, Skippers, Gabonamong, Arendse W., Macala, Chapman, Rodgers (Bacela 80), Scott (Powell 90+1’), Arendse T., King (Isaacs 55), Nkondo

Substitutes not used: Langveldt, Biachi, Chimodzi, Van Beulen

Technical Team

Abubakaar Solomons (Head Coach)

Jean-Marc Ithier (Ass. Coach)

Yusuf Gester (Manager)

Eber Collop (Physiotherapy)

Match Officials

Buyile Gqubule (Referee)

Reginald Motloung (1st Assistant)

Shaheen Salot (2nd Assistant)

Thabo Nkosi (4th Official)

Phil Masemola (Match Commissioner)