Kaizer Chiefs were held to a 1-1 draw in an entertaining Betway Premiership clash against AmaZulu FC at FNB Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The visitors scored through Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya in the 21st minute, while Chiefs equalised through Bafana Bafana international Mduduzi Shabalala.
Chiefs welcomed back Khanyisa Mayo, who missed the CAF Confederation Cup clash against Angolan side Kabuscorp SCP over the weekend due to registration issues.
KAIZER CHIEFS DOMINATED AGAINST AMAZULU FC BUT FAILED TO COLLECT MAXIMUM POINTS
Amakhosi showed more intensity from the first minute and nearly got a goal as early as the second minute. But Pule Mmodi’s shot was saved by Darren Johnson.
Johnson proved to be the stumbling block between Chiefs and their first goal of the match after making some brilliant saves.
This includes a world-class save to deny Glody Lilepo, who had a golden opportunity to open the scoring vis one-on-one chance with the Usuthu goalkeeper in the seventh minute.
However, despite their dominance, the home side were the first to concede against the run of play. Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya capitalised on some sloppy defending from the Chiefs’ defence with a header to beat a helpless Brandon Petersen in the 21st minute.
GLODY LILEPO AND KHANYISA MAYO ERRORS PROVED COSTLY FOR AMAKHOSI AT FNB STADIUM
There was drama when the home side were awarded a questionable penalty kick.
Match referee Thando Ndzanzeka awarded Chiefs a penalty after what looked like a handball from Usuthu captain Riaan Hanamub. But replays showed that the ball hit Hanamub’s body first before it touched his hand.
Lilepo stood up to take the kick, which was saved by Johnson, who had the game of his life in the first half.
But Chiefs were eventually rewarded in the 32nd minute after Mduduzi Shabalala scored with a close-range curler from a Pule Mmodi assist.
Chiefs thought they had gotten the lead five minutes later, but Nkosingiphile Ngcobo was denied by Johnson.
Chiefs should have easily scored their second goal on the stroke of halftime. But Mayo was the villain after he touched a goal-bound ball from Mmodi, which was adjudged for offside.
Both sides had their own fair share of chances in the second half, but the score remained 1-1.
As a result Chiefs are now fifth on the log standings with 15 points while AmaZulu are ninth, three points below.
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