Absa Premiership match report Kaizer Chiefs v AmaZulu 17 March 2018

After losing their last league encounter, Chiefs needed desperately to return to winning ways to reassure their faithful of their title ambitions.

That said, the visitors were not coming to Johannesburg for vacation, and made that intention clear from the onset with a shot from Siyethemba Mnguni.

A free-kick fell to the hosts which Siphiwe Tshabalala took and found Leonard Castro, but the Colombian headed wide on 15 minutes.

Usuthu grew stronger towards the half an hour mark as they managed to struck a few attempts, albeit half-heartedly at Itumeleng Khune.

The Amakhosi though always looked dangerous especially from set-pieces and after 32 minutes, as defender Teenage Hadebe saw effort his tipped onto the upright.

Despite the best efforts from both sides to break the deadlock, they were forced to head to the tunnel goalless as neither defence could be breached.

Steve Komphela immediately changed his stall at the start of the second half, bringing on Hendrick Ekstein for Wiseman Meyiwa.

Minutes later, another change happened in their vicinity with Ryan Moon replacing an ineffective Bernard Parker.

Chances continued to flow for them after Castro tried to latch onto a through ball, but it fell out of his reach as Energy Murambadoro was able to come out and collect easily.

In his 300th appearance, Khune came to the fore to deny Mnguni, who looked to break the deadlock with a long-range shot after possession turnover from the Amakhosi defence.

The home side made their third and final change as Siphelele Ntshangase replaced full-back Philani Zulu at the midway mark, as Willard Katsande headed wide in their latest attempt to a goal.

With chances coming slowly on both ends, neither side was able to find the elusive breakthrough and shared a pale goalless draw.