Kaizer Chiefs remain unbeaten despite fourth draw, says Sheppard

Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Dillon Sheppard says his side can take encouragement from the chances they are creating, despite being held to a fourth league draw of the season by Golden Arrows.

The teams played out a goalless draw at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday, with Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Maboe missing a late first-half penalty after his effort was saved by Golden Arrows goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa.

“Our creativity has been good, it’s just a matter of tucking our chances away. The good thing is that we are creating chances and we just have to carry on with that,” Sheppard said.

The assistant coach felt Kaizer Chiefs had done enough to claim all three points, although he accepted that Golden Arrows also had opportunities to win the match.

“They [Arrows] had a few chances, especially towards the end. I think it’s a fair result, but I think we deserved to win if you look at the chances we created,” he said.

The result came at a cost, with Maboe forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher early in the second half after suffering an injury.

Maboe has been included in the Bafana Bafana squad for the two upcoming Afcon qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea. The matches will be played on Sunday and next Wednesday, at home and away respectively.

Sheppard said the club’s medical team would assess the midfielder before a decision was made on his availability for national duty.

“Obviously the doctor will examine him [Maboe]. For Lebo to go down means he was in pain, but hopefully it’s just a slight ankle sprain and he will be ready for national duty,” he said.

Leaner makes confident debut

Kaizer Chiefs were without injured first-choice goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, giving Renaldo Leaner his debut for the club.

Leaner responded with a clean sheet and several important saves, while Sheppard also praised the goalkeeper’s organisation and leadership.

“He was very good. His leadership at the back was evident and he made a couple of great saves. That’s why you have a squad; when one player gets injured the next one steps up,” said Sheppard.

“I am very happy for him… he’s come in with a lot of confidence and kept a clean sheet. It’s very good for him.”

Kaizer Chiefs head into the Fifa break unbeaten in the league after seven matches. They have won three games and drawn four, leaving them seven points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played one match more.