Kaizer Chiefs and TS Galaxy could not be separated in the opening 45 minutes of their DStv Premiership encounter.
DStv Premiership
Result: TS Galaxy 0-0 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 05 January 2023
Venue: Mbombela Stadium
Chiefs made only one enforced change from their win over Royal AM, as Reeve Frosler and Dillan Solomons were ruled out due to injuries as Zitha Kwinika was recalled, with Siyabonga Ngezana switching to right-back.
The Glamour Boys were lively in the early exchanges and Keagan Dolly came close to giving them the lead on 11 minutes with a low curling shot in the box that was parried away by shot-stopper Vasilije Kolak.
Galaxy went toe-to-toe with Chiefs but they opened themselves at the back as Ashley Du Preez had a big chance to break the deadlock just before the half-hour mark after going clear on goal but his shot sailed inches wide of the target.
Arthur Zwane's charges continued to have opportunities from possession turnovers and Sifiso Hlanti found himself in a good position in the box just before the break and fired a low shot that was smothered by Kolak.
The battle intensified in midfield coming from the break, but the Rockets were reduced to ten men within ten minutes after Marks Munyai got a second booking for a lunging tackle on Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana.
Bimenyimana did not return for Amakhosi after he was stretchered off the pitch and he was immediately replaced by new striker signing Christian Saile Basomboli.
The visitors gained momentum as Galaxy sat deep and Chiefs could not break them down and with 17 minutes to go, with Zwane making a tactical change by introducing Kgaogelo Sekgota for Mduduzi Shabalala.
Amakhosi pinned the Rockets back in and around their own box in the dying minutes but for all their pressure, they could not crack the code, as Sead Ramovic's men frustrated them to a goalless draw.
Chiefs remain in fifth place on the log, equal on points with fourth-placed Pirates, while a point moved the Rockets up to tenth on the table
Here's how they lined up:
TS Galaxy: 32. Kolak, 23. Munyai, 5. Msimango, 3. Sanoka, 11. Nyama, 8. Mbunjana, 17. Parker, 10. Hlongwane, 7. Mongae, 9. Traore, 27. S.Mahlangu
Subs: 1. Van der Linde, 30. Mere, 28. Phohlongo, 20. Mlambo, 13. Mathekgane, 4. M.Mahlangu, 37. Medina Rodriguez, 14. Radebe, 49. Sebelebele
Kaizer Chiefs: 1. Petersen, 20. Ngezana, 24. Kwinika, 2. Dove, 13. Hlanti, 8. Maart, 6. Sithebe, 42. Shabalala, 10. Dolly, 9. Du Preez, 28. Bimenyimana.
Subs: 16. Khune, 3. Mathoho, 27. Ngcobo, 24. Nange, 22. Matlou, 36. Zwane, 37. Duba, 21. Saile
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