Kaizer Chiefs were seconds away from claiming to spot on the league standings but conceded a goal in second half injury time as they drew 1-1 with Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates in a drama filled Absa Premiership clash at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Kaizer Motaung junior headed Chiefs into the lead in the twelfth minute after getting onto the end of pin point cross from Chiefs skipper Jimmy Tau, as the end of the game drew closer Pirates stunned the Amakhosi when Thulasizwe Mbuyane managed to head home Ndumiso Mabena’s cross to ensure the game ended all square.

Reneilwe Lethsolonyane picked up a loose ball on the edge of the Pirates 18 yard area in the 10th minute, but he dragged his effort wide of goal.

Two minutes on and after some sublime inter play between Josta Dladla and Jimmy Tau Dladla sent the Chiefs keeper clear down the former set Tau free, he shrugged off the attention of Ruben Cloete to send in a perfectly floated ball to the far post.

Motaung JR. was waiting on the other end as he got between Pirates defenders Happy Jele and Rooi Mahamutsa to head Chiefs into the lead, as Pirates conceded their 400th PSL era goal.

Close to the halfway point of the first half Chiefs came close to being punished as unsure defending handed Pirates striker Katlego Mashego a clear sight of goal, from just a few yards from goal he sent his effort from the right across goal and wide of the mark.

The game was played at a frantic pace with action at both ends, on 39 minutes Phenyo Mongala sent his effort from close range into the side netting after making contact with a cross from the right. In the 42nd minute it took a brave block from Oupa Manyisa to keep out what looked a certain goal bound effort from Siphiwe Tshabalala.

On the stroke of half time Chiefs keeper Itumeleng Khune was at full stretch as he acrobatically palmed a thunderous shot from Andile Jali out for a corner, as Chiefs preserved their lead go into the break.

Khune was again in the thick of the action two minutes after the restart, as he tried punching a cross from the left clear it fell onto Mahamutsa and trickled towards goal, he regained his composure and jumped back to smother the ball.

Chiefs managed to ride out Pirates pressure during the opening quarter of the second half and almost extended their lead when Thomas Sweswe managed to get on the end of a Siphiwe Tshabalala corner in the 61st minute. His diving header went screaming over the Pirates goal.

Pirates thought that they had found an equalizer on 77 minutes when Jele turned the ball home from close range, the effort was ruled out for off side. Shortly thereafter Mashego tried getting onto the end of a layup from Manyisa but Masenamela intercepted and knocked the ball out for a corner.

With the clock winding down Khune was again at his acrobatic best as he glided through the air to make a crucial one handed block of Pirates substitute Ndumiso Mabena’s effort from distance.

Pirates would find an equalizer deep into added time at the end of the game Mbuyane heading home Mabena’s cross to deny Chiefs victory and what would have been top spot on the lead standings.

Line Ups:

Kaizer Chiefs (4-4-2): 32.Itumeleng Khune, 2. Jimmy Tau, 3.Thomas Sweswe, 31. Punch Masenamela, 13. Valery Nahayo, 8.Tinashe Nengomasha, 6. Reneilwe Letsholonyane, 9. Josta Dladla, 14. Siphiwe Tshabalala (33. Ncanana 84’), 21. Knowledge Musona (11. Nale90 +2), 7.Kaizer Motaung JR. (10. Yende 90’)

Cautions: 2. Tau 56’

Technical Team:

Vladimir Vermezovic Head Coach


Donald ‘Ace’ Khuse Assistant Coach


Rainer Dinkelacker Goalkeeper Coach

Orlando Pirates (4-4-2): 1.Senzo Meyiwa, 38. Ruben Cloete, 3. Rooi Mahamutsa, 14. Lucky Lekgwathi, 4. Happy Jele, 18. Thulasizwe Mbuyane, 20. Oupa Manyisa, 15. Andile Jali, 8. Phenyo Mongala (26. Mabena 64’), 21. Katlego Mashego, 35. Isaac Chansa (12. Mayambela 77’)

Cautions: 4. Jele 68’, 18. Mbuyane 74’

Technical Team:

Ruud Krol Head Coach


Craig Rosslee Assistant Coach


Williams Okpara Goalkeeper Coach

Match Officials:

Referee: Jerome Damon


Assistant 1: Enoch Molefe


Assistant 2: Zakhele Siwela


4th Official: Victor Gomes


Match Commissioner: Mark Lindon