AmaZulu (1) 1
(Letsoalo 39’)

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1
(Du Preez 2’)

Moses Mabhida stadium, Durban

Despite being gifted an early goal, Kaizer Chiefs were pegged back by AmaZulu in a DStv Premiership clash at the Moses Mabhida stadium, which ended even at 1-1.

Chiefs took the lead with less than 90 seconds played after Celimpilo Ngema committed the cardinal sin of playing the ball across his own penalty area. Meanwhile, Du Preez observed the cardinal rule of strikers – to be alert and ready for anything – and pounced like a panther to nip in to steal the ball and beat Usuthu goalkeeper, Veli Mothwa with ease to give the Amakhosi Faithful something to celebrate.

With the cushion of the early goal, Amakhosi sat deep and invited AmaZulu on to them in order to lure them in and break on the counter attack and it proved a good strategy as, time and again, Amakhosi broke dangerously and came close to doubling the lead.

With the well-organised defence keeping the likes of Victor Letsoalo, Hendrik Ekstein and Augustine Mulenga quiet, midfielder, Siyethembe Sithebe shone at both ends of the filed, making crucial interceptions to break up play, and setting up swift counter attacks during transition. Mduduzi Shabala came closest to making it 2-0 when his left-footed shot struck the inside of the post after 35 minutes.

The hosts made the most of their lucky escape four minutes later, drawing level with their first threat to Bruce Bvuma’s goal. A Mulenga cross from the left was met by Letsoalo’s firm header after the striker had snuck up on Thatayaone Ditlhokwe’s blind side, albeit with a strong suspicion of being offside, to send the teams into half-time level at 1-1.

The second half was largely pedestrian, much to the frustration of the spectators, who were out in their numbers to get behind the team. The tempo seemed a little flat and neither side could conjure up a decisive phase of play to penetrate the opposing defences.

Bruce Bvuma was called into action in the 64^th minute to save from Ekstein and, at the other end, substitute Christian Saile had a snap-shot saved by Mothwa.

The match livened up in the final stages, as each team tried to go for a late winner to snatch all three points, and it was Chiefs who came exceedingly close to pulling it off. A minute into added time, Pule Mmodi’s left wing cross was dummied by Sithebe and reached Du Preez, whose sweetly struck shot was well saved by Mothwa. The keeper then denied Saile from the rebound, dropping to push the ball around his near post for a corner.

The single point, however, does enable the Glamour Boys to edge above Polokwane City into 8th place in the standings, on goal difference. The two teams face off at FNB stadium this coming Saturday in the penultimate round of the league campaign in what is essentially a shootout for a Top 8 spot.

Line-ups:

Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma (44), Kwinika (4), Hlanti (23), Ditlhokwe © (24), Nj Ngcobo (27), Mthethwa (5) (Vilakazi (28) 75’), Sithebe (6), Shabalala (42) (Castillo (17) 60’), Mmodi (13), Du Preez (9) (Gonzalez (14) 90+3’), Chivaviro (7) (Basomboli Saile (21) 60’)

Subs not used: Khune (32); Mashiane (19), McCarthy (35), Zwane (37), Jansen (29)

Coach: Cavin Johnson

AmaZulu: Mothwa © (44), Jooste (26), Hanamub (14), Mphahlele (23) (Gumede (17) 28’), Mobara (2) (Mbanjwa (15) 55’), Fielies (43), Motshwari (8), Ngema (20), Ekstein (27) (Maluleka (12) 86’), Letsoalo (28) (Kwem (9) 86’), Mulenga (11) (Moremi (19) 86’)

Subs not used: Mzimela (1), Ngobeni (25), Sikhakhane (5), Brooks (18)

Coach: Pablo Franco