Kaizer Chiefs threw away a 2-1 lead when they allowed league strugglers, Jomo Cosmos, to equalise in the 90th minute in a pulsating fixture played at a rainy Loftus Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Chiefs were the first to find the back of the net when Knowledge Musona’s strike beat Avril Phali in the 20th minute, but Thapelo Tshilo equalised just before half time. Siphiwe Tshabalala thought he had grabbed a winner for the Glamour Boys when the scored in the 67th minute, but Cosmos had other ideas as they grabbed an equaliser in the 90th minute.

Chiefs, who are now on 43 points, will be disappointed to once again draw a game they controlled for over 90 minutes, while the visitors, who are hoping to avoid the axe, will be happy with the single point away from home.

Vladimir Vermezovic gave Zimbabwean sensation, Knowledge Musona, the nod ahead of midfielder Josta Dladla, as they look at overturning the home record against neighbours, Jomo Cosmos. It was back in the 2003/2004 season that the Chiefs last beat Cosmos at home.

It was Jomo Cosmos though, who had the first shot at goal with Thabiso Hlalele forcing Arthur Bartman to make a superb save inside the first 10 minutes. The Glamour Boys, not to be outdone at home, saw Knowledge Musona’s free kick rattling the crossbar with Avril Phali beaten hands down.

In the 20th minute, Knowledge Musona, starting his first game since November 25 last year, handed his side a well-deserved lead when he beat Avril Phali following a sublime pass from Abia Nale, 1-0 to Chiefs.

Abia “Soul Provider” Nale should have grabbed the second one for the Amakhosi, but his shot went just over the bar. This was following good work from tenacious midfielder, Tinashe Nengomasha.

Just when the Glamour Boys thought they would go into halftime leading, in the 44th minute defender Thapelo Tshilo scored a scorcher of a free kick from 35 yards out, 1 all at halftime.

Kaizer Chiefs started the second half the stronger of the two sides and came close twice. The first close-call was in the 58th minute, with Siphiwe Tshabalala’s trademark free kick going just wide. Two minutes later Thabang Rooi also came close with his header from Siphiwe Tshabalala going wide of Avril Phali’s goals, 1 all at the 60th minute.

Arthur Bartman was forced to work in the 64th minute when he parried Bamuza Sono’s strike that had done well to beat two defenders before striking towards goal. Substitute, Ashley Smith, should have done better with the rebound but the striker dragged his shot wide.

In the 67th minute, Siphiwe Tshabalala grabbed his 6th goal of the campaign when he connected a cross from ‘creator’ Abia Nale.

The referee, Mathew Dyer was forced to stop the game in the 75th minute due to lighting, but that did not dampen the spirits of Amakhosi faithful, who kept on singing and dancing in the stands.

The referee having assessed the situation, both sides returned to the field. The five minute break might have ‘assisted’ the visitors, Jomo Cosmos, as they grabbed an equaliser through the header of Thapelo Tshilo.

Kaizer Chiefs will travel to Durban on Wednesday to honour a tricky fixture against Golden Arrows at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Chiefs: Bartman, Tau (Capt.), Jambo, Sweswe, Rooi, Letsholonyane, Nengomasha, Nhleko (Dladla 71) Musona, Tshabalala (Yende 82), Nale

Substitutes not used: Ngobeni, Nahayo, Lebese, Masango, Torrealba

Technical Team

Vladimir Vermezovic (Head Coach)


Donald Khuse (Assistant Coach)


Rainer Dinkelacker (Goalkeeper Coach)


Dave Milner (Team Physio)

Cosmos: Phali, Moloto, Tshilo, Oluwafemi, Camara (Smith 53), Berthe, Gasossou, Hlalele (Gaberone 46), Samb, Sono, Wolff (Dlamini 79)

Substitutes not used: Shiningayamwe, Theletsane, Badenhorst, Mhlathe

Match Officials

Mathew Dyer (Referee)


Toko Malebo (1st Assistant)


Peter Rabophara (2nd Assistant)


Lazarus Matela(4th Official)


Robert Pillay (Match Commissioner)