Kaizer Chiefs were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns despite taking the lead at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Amakhosi spent large periods of the match sitting deep and allowing Sundowns to dominate possession, but they found a way through in the 63rd minute.
After the Sundowns defence failed to clear a dangerous ball, Siphesihle Ndlovu did brilliantly to hold off two defenders before finding Langelihle Phili. The winger made no mistake, firing past Ronwen Williams to give Chiefs the lead.
However, their advantage lasted just 10 minutes before Cassius Mailula equalised for the visitors.
Here are two reasons why Kaizer Chiefs failed to turn their lead into a victory.
- The wrong substitution
Immediately after scoring, Phili was replaced by Ethan Chislett. While the decision is understandable given that the winger had already been booked for taking off his shirt during his goal celebration, Chiefs arguably lost an important attacking threat at a crucial stage of the match.
If Fernando Da Cruz was concerned that Phili could pick up a second yellow card, Mduduzi Shabalala would have offered a more attacking alternative.
With Wandile Duba already on the pitch, Shabalala’s pace and ability to carry the ball could have created more problems for the Sundowns defence and potentially opened up space for Duba.
Instead, Chiefs lost one of their biggest threats at a time when Sundowns were chasing the game.
Kaizer Chiefs needed to be brave and attack more
- Defending for the draw
Amakhosi appeared increasingly content with a point as the match entered its final stages.
Da Cruz introduced Adolf Mtasingwa for Lebohang Maboe in the closing stages, a change that suggested the priority had shifted towards protecting the 1-1 scoreline.
That approach is understandable against a side as dangerous as Sundowns, but Kaizer Chiefs were playing at home and had already shown that they could hurt the visitors.
A more adventurous approach could have seen Flavio Silva introduced for Mmodi, while Shabalala could have replaced Phili. Maboe could also have made way for Mfundo Vilakazi if Amkhosi wanted to commit more players forward.
Instead of trying to win the game, Kaizer Chiefs appeared more focused on ensuring they did not lose it. Against Sundowns, that may be understandable.
But having taken the lead, the Glamour Boys had an opportunity to claim a statement victory, and their conservative approach ultimately left them with only a point.