Soweto derby ends in 0-0 stalemate

Chiefs keeper Itumeleng Khune was called in to action first, doing well to push Thabo Qalinge’s low drive away for a corner in the fourth minute.

Chiefs striker Bernard Parker looked to be on goal six minutes later, but Bucs stopper Wayne Sandilands did well to make the intercept.

Amakhosi were within inches of going ahead on the half hour mark when Ngezana’s powerful header came back off the bar.

Bucs stepped things up in the final 10 minutes of the opening stanza and Khune was kept busy as he made saves from Thabo Rakhale, Mpho Makola and Qalinge in quick succession, before Makola hit the side-netting.

The action heated up after the break, the near-capacity crowd off their feet as play went from end to end.

After a couple of near misses, Willard Katsande looked set to put Amakhosi ahead in the 70th minute when he arrowed a header goal-wards, but Sandilands pulled off a brilliant diving save.

The Bucs faithful thought their side had scored 18 minutes from time when Bernard Morrison got on the end of Makola’s cross, but the Ghana striker had used his hand and the goal did not stand.

Khune kept out Qalinge with another smart save before Daniel Cardoso volleyed over the bar from inside the box 10 minutes from time.

There was a late chance for Chiefs when Gustavo Paez hit one from range but Sandilands made a comfortable save as the game ended in a draw, which appeared a fair reflection of an entertaining match that lacked only in goals.