Renaldo Leaner marked his Kaizer Chiefs debut with a clean sheet between the sticks, but it was not enough to earn all three points as Amakhosi were held to a goalless Betway Premiership draw by Golden Arrows at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Aiming to maintain their unbeaten run in the league, the Glamour Boys were forced to settle for a point as Pitso Dladla’s side held them to a goalless draw.
FARPost looks at the key talking points from this clash in Mpumalanga.
1. RENALDO LEANER MAKES KAIZER CHIEFS DEBUT
With Brandon Petersen sidelined by injury earlier this week, Renaldo Leaner was handed his Chiefs debut by head coach Fernando da Cruz.
Petersen suffered a medial collateral ligament [MCL] injury to his left knee during Tuesday morning’s training session at the Naturena Village. The 31-year-old shot-stopper is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks while undergoing rehabilitation.
Leaner officially joined the Soweto giants on 6 July 2026 as a free agent following his departure from Sekhukhune United.
2. FAIZ ABRAHAMS HANDED FIRST START IN KAIZER CHIEFS COLOURS
Chiefs coach Da Cruz also handed Faiz Abrahams his first start in Amakhosi colours. The right-winger joined Chiefs from Stellenbosch FC on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy.
So far, the 21-year-old has featured in five games across all competitions for Chiefs, finding the back of the net once.
3. RUSHWIN DORTLEY RETURNS TO MATCHDAY SQUAD
Amakhosi defender Rushwin Dortley returned to action after being out for over a year. Dortley had been sidelined with a severe knee injury that required surgery for about 18 months, and last played on 1 March 2025.
The 24-year-old centre-back was named in the matchday squad and started on the bench.
In addition, Thabiso Monyane also completed his recovery and was named among the substitutes for this encounter. Both were unused substitutes.
4. LEBOHANG MABOE MISSES FROM THE SPOT
Midfielder Lebohang Maboe, who has been in impressive form for the Naturena-based outfit, failed to convert a penalty in the 33rd minute. The penalty was awarded after Abrahams was brought down inside the box.
Maboe was coming off a Man of the Match performance in Chiefs’ previous 1-1 draw against Polokwane City FC last weekend.
5. GOLDEN ARROWS PLAYING AWAY FROM HOME
This fixture was initially scheduled to take place at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban, on Saturday, 19 September.
However, Abafana Bes’thende were unable to secure a suitable venue in Durban due to circumstances beyond the club’s control, leading to the decision to move the game to Mbombela Stadium.
6. KAIZER CHIEFS MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RUN
The Soweto giants made it seven matches without defeat in their opening fixtures of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign.
Under the tutelage of Fernando Da Cruz, Amakhosi have shown consistency, keeping their unbeaten start intact as they build momentum. However, they will need to start turning these draws into wins if they are to keep pace with the leading pack in the title race.
Meanwhile, in another Betway Premiership game on Sunday, Milford FC settled for a 1-1 draw against Durban City FC at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium. Mvelo Zikakayo opened the scoring for the Premiership newcomers in the 39th minute, before Luphumlo Sifumba levelled for the Citizens in the 50th minute.
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