Kaizer Chiefs end year in frustration after goalless draw with TS Galaxy

Kaizer Chiefs will not only search for redemption but also for all-round team organisation when they start the second half of the season next year, following a disappointing end to the year.

Chiefs were held to a 0-0 stalemate by TS Galaxy in the last game of the year — and in the Betway Premiership — as they finished fourth on the log with 24 points.

Given the fact that this was their fourth successive game without a win, and that they trail log leaders Orlando Pirates — who have a game in hand — by four points, this was certainly not the ideal end Chiefs wanted in 2025.

After ending last campaign with silverware, there was plenty of hope that Chiefs would turn around their fortunes this season, but that wasn’t to be. Chiefs ended the year empty-handed, with more confusion than progression.

They failed to beat Galaxy in the final match of the year — not only failing to give their fans the perfect Christmas and New Year’s gift, but also showing that they are still behind arch-rivals Pirates, who ended the first half of the season top of the log with a cup double.

Chiefs’ struggles stem largely from the fact that they are coachless. Interim co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze have blown hot and cold since taking over the reins from former head coach Nasreddine Nabi.

It’s been difficult for them to show the direction they want the club to take, especially given that the duo seem to “share” coaching duties — with one absent from the bench at times. For instance, Ben Youssef spearheaded operations alone in Mbombela as Kaze was nowhere to be seen.

Youssef was more frustrated than pleased. His team dominated possession in the first half, but that didn’t bear fruit. Chiefs looked structureless and without a clear identity in their passage of play, as players were all over the place.

Lebohang Maboe, who made his third start since rejoining the club this season, is yet to settle. While he does well to win possession, his final passes were either inaccurate or too late — which speaks to the lack of cohesion between him and his teammates.

This Chiefs team still can’t organise themselves in attack. Flavio Silva thought he had put his side ahead when he found the back of the net from Lehlogonolo Matlou’s weighted pass, but it wasn’t to be, as referee Skhumbuzo Gasa ruled it offside.

The goal, which was arguably wrongfully disallowed, didn’t deter Chiefs, who continued to apply pressure, but they were still let down by their own mistakes — exposing a lack of leadership and responsibility.

Chiefs are already on their third captain of the season — Brandon Petersen — revealing a lack of leaders. One of their former captains further justified why the armband was taken from him after he needlessly received a caution for impeding Ira Tape as he attempted to take a goal kick.

And that’s not all. Khanyisa Mayo continues to struggle to establish himself in the gold and black colours of Amakhosi — the same club where his father, Patrick, earned legendary status — after sending most of his chances straight into the arms of Tape.

Granted, Chiefs were their own worst enemies, but Gasa also made some questionable decisions. On top of his incorrect offside call against Silva in a tight angle, he denied Chiefs a penalty after Khulumani Ndamane — who is AFCON-bound — clattered into Mayo inside the box.

Amakhosi huffed and puffed for the winner, sending on more fresh legs, including giving Luke Baartman his club debut.

They couldn’t find their breakthrough early on, as Tape’s reflexes were sharp in goal, denying Maboe’s close-range free-kick. In fact, the hosts nearly bagged all three points through a smash-and-grab as Junior Zindoga struck the corner of the upright from close range after a delightful pass from Mlungisi Mbunjana.

The near-misses summed up Chiefs’ season — a team that failed to click and lacked consistency whenever they showed promise.