Missing in action

Domestic football's return was not as thrilling as anticipated last night after a goalless draw between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs.

Perhaps too much was expected from players who have been on a seven-week break because of the Africa Cup of Nations.

To borrow from Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter, the players were simply "a class or two below their best" in a match that saw both teams surrender ball possession easily with stray passes.

Shots at goal, even off target, would have been more stimulating.

In the first half, Sundowns goalie Wayne Sandilands went to ground once - in the 45th minute - to save a brilliant attempt from Amakhosi's George Lebese.

His counterpart at Chiefs, Itumeleng Khune, was hardly tested and calmly collecting tame efforts from Sundowns attackers. Downs' main striker, Katlego Mphela, looked rusty and coach Pitso Mosimane's words earlier in the week reverberated.

"I would have loved for him to get some game time during the Nations Cup. He is now back at zero," the coach said about his goal machine.

But the two teams must be applauded for a clean match despite referee Victor Gomes handing out a string of yellow cards to bemused players.

Sundowns and Chiefs were both disciplined in defence, thus leading to a lack of chances. Even when scoring chances came, like when Bernard Parker missed an open net, defenders remained confident and cleared the danger.

Chiefs were the more cautious side in the first half but tried to play open football after the break. The last time Baxter attempted to match Sundowns' carpet football at this venue in August, Amakhosi were humiliated 4-1 in a cup match.

Last night's clash was tactical and tense as the two coaches made substitutions that indicated they wanted all three points.

Anthony Laffor replaced captain Teko Modise and Themba Zwane came on for Nyasha Mushekwi for Sundowns. Siphiwe Tshabalala and Lehlohonolo Majoro made way for Mandla Masango and Kingston Nkhatha for Chiefs.

Zwane almost made headlines with his 80th minute header that was tipped over the bar by Khune's outstretched arm. The stalemate means Chiefs stay at the top, but could surrender their position if second-placed Orlando Pirates beat Supersport United tonight.

Sapa reports that Danny Venter scored twice to help Free State Stars beat Chippa United 3-0 at the Charles Mopeli Stadium last night.

Stars' victory extends their unbeaten run in the Premiership to seven games. Venter scored the first goal in the 39th minute after Noah Chivuta provided the assist.

There was no other goals until injury time in the second period when Venter buried the ball into the back of the net. Stars then grabbed a third through Luyolo Nomandela to seal the 3-0 victory.

With the win Stars move to 28 points from 17 matches.

United, meanwhile, have not tasted victory in their last six games and stay on 13 points from their 17 league outings.

Erwin Isaacs' second-half brace saw BidVest Wits collect three points, beating Black Leopards 2-0 at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

It was Clive Barker's first official match at Wits and last night's result lifted The Students from ninth to seventh spot on the log. Lidoda Duvha remain 12th on the table.

Sbu Mjikeliso reports from Moses Mabhida Stadium that AmaZulu and Maritzburg United played to a goalless draw - a game riddled with shots off target.

If composure and poise in the final third could be bought, Usuthu would need a truck-load to avoid relegation.

AmaZulu dominated the entire game but failed to find the back of net to collect maximum points that would have lifted them off the bottom of the log.

United got the point they came to Durban for and for that they must thank goalkeeper Shuaib Walters for pulling off some stunning saves.