Chiefs assistant coach implies not all is lost after dropping more points

Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Dillon Sheppard believes all is not lost after the side accumulated their fourth draw of the season against Golden Arrows at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.

“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 after the goalless draw, where midfielder Lebohang Maboe saw his penalty saved by Arrows goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa late in the first half.

Sheppard is of the view that they deserved a win, though he admitted that a draw was a fair outcome. “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,” the Chiefs assistant coach said.

Maboe, who is in the Bafana Bafana squad for the two upcoming Afcon qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea on Sunday and next Wednesday, at home and away respectively, was stretchered off early in the second half at Mbombela.

“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,” Sheppard said.

Sheppard also lauded the impact of goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner, who made his debut for the club on Sunday in the absence of injured first-choice shot-stopper Brandon Petersen.

“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. 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,” said Sheppard.

Going into the Fifa break, Amakhosi remain unbeaten in the league, with three wins and four draws after seven fixtures. They are seven points adrift of leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played one match more than them.