Kaizer Chiefs dropped crucial points in their fight for CAF Champions League qualification after playing out to a 1-1 draw against Marumo Gallants at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 08 April in Soweto.
Chiefs missed out on the chance to go level on points with fellow second spot contenders after Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United won their respective games.
Pirates and SuperSport are occupying the second and third spot with 43 points while Chiefs is positioned fourth on the league table with 41 points.
Chiefs welcomed Gallants with the aim of collecting all the maximum points; however their fans left the stadium disappointed as the Soweto giants dropped two points
Arthur Zwane’s men had a flying start to the match after Ashley Du Preez made a good run into the box to score the opening goal in the 5th minute.
Du Preez came close to finding his second goal of the match after receiving a cross from the left channel, but his shot was dealt with decisively by the Gallants goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
POOR DECISION MAKING IN THE FINAL THIRD
Chiefs kept piling the pressure on the Marumo Gallants’ defence searching for a second goal but they were let down by their poor decision making in the final third.
The Limpopo-based side found the equaliser goal in the 35th minute through Ranga Chivaviro, who scored from a tight angle after Chiefs failed to clear their line.
Yusuf Maart unleashed a powerful long range shot as Chiefs were looking to regain the lead but his shot parried away by Gallants keeper.
The referee Thokozani Mkhize blew the half time whistle with both sides deadlocked at the 1-1.
Chiefs came into the second half on a high tempo and created numerous goal-scoring chances which they couldn’t convert.
Instead, Gallants nearly snatched all three points with the Amakhosi goalie Brandon Peterson pulling off a good shot from close range.
The draw saw the Glamour Boys’ five-match winning streak in all competitions come to an end and they are now two points behind Pirates and SuperSport with five games remaining in the league.
RELATED STORY: How Arthur Zwane plans to approach DStv Prem remaining fixtures
