Chiefs Drop Points In The Race For CAFCL Spot

Kaizer Chiefs were held to a 1-1 draw against relegation-fighting Marumo Gallants in their DStv Premiership clash at FNB Stadium on Saturday evening.

Amakhosi, chasing their sixth consecutive win in all competitions started the brighter and carved the visitors who were playing their third game in six days, almost at will.

And they were rewarded for their efforts inside the opening ten minutes when Ashley du Preez got the ball on the halfway line before running through and firing the ball past Washington Arubi – much to the delight of the home supporters.

Arthur Zwane’s side had plenty of possession with Samkelo Zwane, Mduduzi Shabalala and Yusuf Maart pulling the strings but the resilient Gallants held firm to frustrate them and began to show some endeavors going forward with the wingers Lesiba Nku and Katlego Otladisa the main attacking outlets.

And ten minutes before the break they got their equaliser in fortuitious fashion when Dove Edmilson failed to clear his lines in a mix-up with goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, which allowed Ranga Chivaviro to sneak in and score his 11th goal for the season in all competitions.

The equaliser clearly rattled a few feathers as the Chiefs squad remained in a huddle for a few minutes before leaving the field towards the dressing room, most likely for what would have been a heated team talk from Zwane.

But for what has been the story for most of his debut season, they failed to make use of their superiority in possesion and chances, with Shabalala and Christian Saile spurning golden opportunities to put them back ahead.

It opened up the game to some end-to-end action in the next twenty minutes, but with Gallants fighting for survival – it was always going to be a test of character and a case of who wants it more.

The introduction of George Matlou for the tiring Shabalala also brought an extra spark into the game and got the crowd off their seats but that was as good as it got until the 80th minute as there were several crosses across the area and some off-side calls that just didn’t fall in the favour of the home side.

A point meant Chiefs remained in fourth place, falling two points behind SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates, who occupy third and second place in the final two CAF inter-club qualification spots for the 2022/23 campaign.