Kaizer Chiefs stumbled to a third straight draw after Stellenbosch FC held them to a 1-1 draw in a Betway Premiership clash at FNB Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Sinoxolo Kwayiba opened the scoring for the visitors three minutes into the second half before the home side equalised through Mduduzi Shabalala 10 minutes later.
Here are five key talking points from the FNB Stadium:
WHY KAIZER CHIEFS CHANGED THE ORIGINAL LINE-UP
There was confusion at the beginning of the match when Chiefs released their first official match-day line-up on their WhatsApp platform. The club had included forward Faiz Abrahams, who is on loan from Stellenbosch FC, in the starting line-up, only to change a few minutes later.
The 21-year-old was replaced by Mduduzi Shabalala, initially named on the bench. Amakhosi played the match with eight substitutes instead of the usual nine because of the change.
LEBOHANG MABOE ABSENCE FELT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARK
Amakhosi came into the match missing some of the key players due to injuries. This includes Bafana Bafana international Lebohang Maboe, who had played every match before his injury against Golden Arrows ahead of the FIFA International break. His quality in the middle of the park was definitely missed, especially with Sibongiseni Mthethwa playing alone in the central role.
Amakhosi were also missing midfielders Adolf Mtasingwa and Siphesihle Ndlovu due to injuries, as well as attacker Langelihle Phili and goalkeeper Brandon Petersen.
AMAKHOSI DEFENCE CAUGHT NAPPING A FEW TIMES
Despite creating their own chances in the first half, Chiefs were lucky not to concede at least two goals after their defence was caught napping a few times. With coach Fernando Da Cruz opting for five defenders, there were moments of miscommunication on the left-hand side, where Bradley Cross and Paseka Mako were playing, but the visitors failed to capitalise. The goal by Sinoxolo Kwayiba, left unmarked inside the box, didn’t come as a surprise. An area where Da Cruz will be concerned about.
HOW FORMER CHIEFS PLAYERS PERFORMED ON THE NIGHT
Stellenbosch FC had four former Kaizer Chiefs players in their starting line-up, including Njabulo Blom, who is on a season-long loan from Indonesian Super League side Borneo Samarinda. George Matlou, Given Msimango and Ashley Du Preez were the other former Amakhosi players on the field. Besides Du Preez, who had a quiet game and was subsequently replaced, the other trio of players were decent against their former club.
ANOTHER REFEREE CONTROVERSY IN THE BETWAY PREMIERSHIP
There was a moment of controversy towards the end of the match when referee Sikhumbuzo Gasa pointed to the penalty box for what seemed to be a handball by a Stellenbosch FC player. But after consulting with the first assistant referee, Khamusi Razwimisani, Gasa changed his mind and awarded a corner kick instead.
Despite dropping points, Chiefs remain in fourth on the log with 14 points, while Stellenbosch are seventh with 10 points.
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