Kaizer Chiefs were held to a 1-1 draw by a resilient AmaZulu side at FNB
Stadium on Wednesday evening, missing a crucial opportunity to climb into
the Betway Premiership’s top three.
The match was a tale of wasted chances for the home side, who were
repeatedly thwarted by AmaZulu goalkeeper Darren Johnson in a
Man-of-the-Match performance.
Chiefs started brightly and should have taken an early lead when Khanyisa
Mayo set up Glody Lilepo, but the latter was denied by a sharp save from
Johnson. Against the run of play, AmaZulu struck first in the 21st minute,
with Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya powering a near-post header home from an Andiswa
Sithole cross.
The momentum swung back in Chiefs’ favor just before the half-hour mark.
Awarded a penalty for a handball, they saw Lilepo’s spot-kick brilliantly
saved by Johnson. However, the reprieve was short-lived, as Chiefs equalized
just three minutes later. A swift counter-attack was finished off by Mduduzi
Shabalala, who found the far corner with a composed strike after a clever
pass from Pule Mmodi.
Chiefs thought they had taken the lead late in the first half when Mayo
tapped in, but the goal was ruled out for offside—a decision that proved
doubly frustrating as replays showed Mmodi’s initial shot was heading in.
The second half saw Chiefs maintain pressure but fail to find a finishing
touch. Lilepo spurned another golden opportunity, firing wide after breaking
clear, and substitute Flavio da Silva was denied by a stunning late save
from the impeccable Johnson.
The draw leaves Chiefs ruing a series of missed chances, while AmaZulu will
be pleased with a hard-fought point on the road.
Confirmed Lineups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen; Cross, Kwinika, Miguel, Solomons; Mthethwa, Ngcobo;
Shabalala, Mmodi, Lilepo; Mayo.
Subs: Ntwari, McCarthy, Frosler, Cele, Sirino, Du Preez, Chislett, Duba, Da
Silva.
AmaZulu: Johnson; Allan, Mthethwa, Fielies, Hanamub; Mbanjwa, Sithole,
Radebe; Ekstein, Kutumela, Ngwenya.
Subs: Mzimela, Ncama, Mzobe, Dube, Ngcobo, Zikhali, Thabede, Maqokolo,
Matlhoko.
