By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Kaizer Chiefs dropped points after their six-match winning streak was halted following their 0-0 draw with Polokwane City FC at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium om Saturday evening.
Both teams had plenty of opportunities to score and it was the visitors who threatened first early on when Flavio Silva fired wide after combining with Glody Lilepo.
Thabiso Monyane failed to keep his shot down from range soon afterwards and Lilepo managed to test Lindokuhle Mathebula from a direct free-kick on eight minutes.
Rise And Shine started to get a foothold in the game and created a few chances of their own, with Juan Mutudza forcing Brandon Petersen into a save with a flicked header before Ndaumelo Maphangule unleashed a shot that also worked Petersen.
Chiefs responded with a triple change to freshen up the attack as Gaston Sirino, Khanyisa Mayo and Luke Baartman were introduced in place of Mduduzi Shabalala, Silva and Wandile Duba for the final 30 minutes.
The visitors went close to taking the lead in the 76th minute via a dead-ball situation as Lilepo unleashed a curling free-kick hit the crossbar with goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula well-beaten.
The closing stages of the match belonged to Polokwane City, who had control of the match but couldn’t score.
Chiefs who will face Orlando Pirates on April 26 for a league encounter at the FNB Stadium, are third and enjoy a seven-point cushion from fourth-placed AmaZulu.
Meanwhile Orlando Pirates moved to the top of the Betway Premiership standings, following a convincing 3-0 victory over AmaZulu at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Elsewhere Marumo Gallants and Siwelele FC ended in a goalless stalemate at the Dr Molemela Stadium, Golden Arrows boosted their top-eight prospects with a 2-1 win over relegation-threatened Orbit College at Olympia Park and Stellenbosch FC defeated Sekhukhune United 3-1 on Friday evening.