Kaizer Chiefs' inconsistent run of results continued in the Betway Premiership this week following a 1-1 draw with Marumo Gallants at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Amakhosi drew first blood in the 39th minute after Khanyisa Mayo opened his account on debut. Mayo’s effort was then nullified owing to Jaison Clifford in the 75th minute after his classy strike whistled past Brandon Peterson in goal.
The game sprung to life early on, with both sides creating scoring opportunities in the first five minutes. To begin with, Ashley Du Preez had an effort blocked in the first minute of the match, while Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo attempted to give his side the lead from range, however, his shot went wide of the mark.
Amakhosi saw most of the ball possession count mid-way through the first-half but did little to trouble the Gallants backline. Gallants on the other hand, created more scoring chances leading up to the 25th minute.
Chiefs continued to chip away at the Gallants defence, with the likes of Gaston Sirino and Du Preez looking to make a difference. The Free State club were led by attempts from Bheki Mabuza and Daniel Msendami, however, the Gallants duo were unable to keep their efforts on target.
The Soweto giants took the lead in the 39th minute via Mayo, who made his first start for the Glamour Boys. With Chiefs progressing toward the box, Du Preez shifted the ball into Mayo’s path with a glancing pass as the former Cape Town City star guided the ball home from close range.
Chiefs were then awarded a penalty in the 45th minute after Marvin Sikhosana committed a foul inside the area. However, goalkeeper Washington Arubi was on hand to keep Gaston Sirino’s shot at bay.
With a goal to the good, Chiefs remained on the front foot on the ball, while Gallants were forced to retreat during the early stages of the second 45.
Gallants levelled matters with 15 minutes left on the clock as Clifford added his name to the scoresheet with a well taken right-footed curler on the edge of the 18-yard-area. Despite playing against the cosh, Gallants did well to score after making their way up field, particularly on the left-hand side of the pitch.
Thabo Cele were among the last players to have a go at taking the lead, however, the Chiefs man saw his long range shot going narrowly wide of the mark as the game ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
Kaizer Chiefs: (1) 1 (Mayo 39’)
Marumo Gallants: (0) 1 (Clifford 75’)
KAIZER CHIEFS: Peterson, Mayo (Lilepo 59’), Macheke, Miguel, Cross, Mthethwa, Ndlovu (Cele 46’), Frosler, Mako (Mmodi 82’), Du Preez (Ngcobo 82’), Sirino (Shabalala 59’)
MARUMO GALLANTS: Arubi, Mabotja, Chabatsane, Sikhosana, Mhlongo (Ncube 82’), Mphambaniso (Motloung 73’), Nhlapo, Sithole, Mabuza (Khumalo 78’), Ndlondlo (Sithole 83’), Msendami (Clifford 72’)
