Kaizer Chiefs will have to wait another season to beat Royal AM in KwaZulu-Natal in the DStv Premiership after both sides shot blanks at Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday.
It was a poor-quality game, and Chiefs, on the balance of play, did not put a youthful side Royal AM under any pressure despite the return of Ashley Du Preez.
Chiefs were looking to beat Royal AM in a league match in KwaZulu-Natal for the first time, having lost their last two visits to the coastal city and now this draw.
Before the game got underway, one fan was nabbed by the VOC commander to have sold nine of 10 tickets he purchased and was quickly taken away.
One would have hoped that, having VOC quickly done their work, that was translated on the pitch. The game initially flew out at a high pace from both sides.
But Chiefs were asked to take a sting out of the game, passing to each other at the back.
Thabo Matlaba tried from range in the 17th minute, but Bruce Bvuma adjusted his body to save for the corner.
Chiefs were on their backfoot, absorbing the pressure on that occasion. But in the blink of an eye, Reeve Froster launched a clearance and the ball fell to an alert Du Preez who was then left clean through on goal.
But the former Stellenbosch FC speedy forward could not stead himself as his attempted flick went badly wide against Hugo Nyame.
Chiefs’ only shots on target came before halftime, with a free kick by Nkosi Ngcobo and a follow-up by Sifiso Hlanti were parried away by Nyame.
But the game dropped tempo in the second half and the fluency of the Royal AM’s front three was not as creative as they were in the first half.
On the hour mark, Du Preez had another chance to beat Nyame but could not do so again against the Cameroonian international.
Chiefs brought Keagan Dolly to add more attacking and life up top to either combine or supply Du Preez, but still, nothing was working for them.
With things not working, Christian Saile tried from range but Nyame fisted the ball away.
In failing to win on the resumption of the league, Chiefs joined top-ladder standing sides such as Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United, Stellenbosch and Cape Town City who all failed to get the win this weekend.
