IT MIGHT have been a 0-0 draw between Bloemfontein Celtic and Kaizer Chiefs, but this was as entertaining as any of the Absa Premiership matches in a cracking opening round from the Africa Cup of Nations break.

Spurred on by a big, vocal crowd, Celtic and Chiefs served up a display of quick-passing PSL football.

Amakhosi edged the first half and ended the game very strongly, so might have felt they could have sneaked a winner somewhere.

But a fired-up Celtic produced some fine football, and ran hard and spread the ball dangerously when in possession. In the end Chiefs would have settled for the draw and extending their unbeaten run from the start to 19 matches.

Amakhosi's lead over second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, who have a game in hand, is now 13 points.

There was a certain intensity to this match. Celtic had last beaten Chiefs in September 2009, 12 league and cup matches ago. And as Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter has said, every team in the league will be gunning for the runaway league leaders until May.

There were times Phunya Sele Sele gunned at the visiting side, especially in a period just after the break.

Baxter had defensive midfielder Willard Katsande back from injury. The coach opted for Brilliant Khuzwayo in goal, with Itumeleng Khune remaining on the bench. New signing David Zulu was also on the bench.

On a warm evening, with the stadium swept by a dry, energy-sapping wind, the match was played at a brisk pace. Chiefs had the best chance in the 10th minute when George Maluleka's volley from the right edge of the area dipped onto the crossbar.

A timely intercept from big centre-back Mulomowandau Mathoho denied Celtic danger man Lerato Lamola in space on the left at the other end. Then Reneilwe Letsholonyane's skidding shot went a foot wide.

The visiting side began the second half probing too, with Siphiwe Tshabalala's well-shaped free-kick testing goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb.

But, keyed up playing into their bank of spectacular support on the southern side of the stadium, Celtic began to give Chiefs something of a scare.

At Atteridgeville, SuperSport United threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Free State Stars. There were draws too for Ajax Cape Town against Polokwane City, and Platinum Stars against Black Aces - both 1-1.