Kaizer Chiefs held Manchester United 1 all in an entertaining draw at a packed Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday. The game was an opener for this edition’s Vodacom Challenge. Kaizer Chiefs were the first to score via a superb penalty from defender Jonathan Quartey in the 37th minute. Manchester United managed to grab an equalizer during the second stanza of the game through Chris Eagles’s flying header.

The game started with both teams having a go at each other but it was Kaizer Chiefs who settled quickly with David Mathebula forcing United’s goalkeeper, Tomasz Kuszcak to save from 30 yard out. Manchester United were not to be outdone, as Argentinean born Carlos Tevez has his header going out wide from captain’s Gary Neville’s sublime cross.

Then, the Argentinean forward forced a good save out of Itumeleng Khune. Carlos Tavez created a space inside the 18 area to shoot but Khune went down pulling a good save. The Kaizer Chiefs Player of the Year proved his mantle once more as he pulled another save outside the box when Darren Fletcher tried to lob him.

Then Man U. took their foot off the paddle allowing Amakhosi to maneuver through Siphiwe Tshabalala and Gert Schalkwyk. The Zimbabwean referee then awarded Chiefs a penalty after Manchester United captain, Gary Neville brought down Siphiwe Tshabala inside the box. Jonathan Quartey made no mistake from the resultant penalty putting the ball in the back of the net and sending the Chiefs faithful to ecstasy.

Khune , who got a special mention from Sir Alex Ferguson in the post match conference was the busier of the two goalkeepers. He was called to action once more, this time pulling a brilliant stop denying veteran, Paul Scholes from a free kick outside the 18 yard area. Amakhosi went into the halftime leading by goal to one.

The visitors came out smoking in the second stanza of the game with Carlos Tevez once again coming close with a header following a good cross from Chris Eagles. Jose Torrealba who was closely watched by both Nemanja Vidic and Wes Brown watched his deflected shot going just wide this following some neat play from David Mathebula on the right. Then, Manchester United found the equalizer they were desperately looking for when Chris Eagles header came off Jimmy Tau to the back of the net following a cross from Carlos Tavez.

Gert Schalkwyk who partnered Jose Torrealba upfront watched his header going agonizingly wide following a superb cross from Onismor Bhasera. The last ten minutes of the game belonged to the Phefeni Glamour Boys as exciting youngsters, George Lebese, Mandla Masango, including Reneilwe Letshonyane, turned it on with the visitors chasing shadows.

Amakhosi will go back to work on Sunday in preparation for the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates in Port Elizabeth on Thursday night. Head Coach, Muhsin Ertugral will be happy with his charges as they were solid at the back, convincing in the middle and they looked dangerous when going forward with pace.

Jonathan Quartey won the Man of Match Award for his efforts.

R100, 000 was donated to charity for the two goals scored in the game.

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune, Tau (Capt), Bhasera, Quartey, Nahayo (Tsotetsi 85th), Nengomashe, Sibeko (Letsholonyane 56th), Mathebula (Motaung Jr 56th), Torrealba, Schalkwyk (Masango 84th), Tshabalala (Lebese 84th)

Manchester United: Kuszczak, Neville (Capt) (Simpson 63rd), O’Shea, Brown (Gibson 70th), Vidic, Fletcher, Scholes, Eagles (Campbell 63rd), Tevez, Rooney (Evans 70th), Giggs

Manchester United Substitutes: Foster, Ferdinand, Evans, Simpson, Silvestre, Gibson, Martin, Campbell

Substitutes not used: Ferdinand (injured before kickoff), Amos, Martin, Silvestre

Cautions: Tau (late tackle on Rooney), Vidic (foul on Schalkwyk), Rooney (kicking Letsholonyane)

Kaizer Chiefs Substitutes: Baron, Zwane, Tsotetsi, Letsholonyane, Nkambule, Masango, Motaung Jr., Mthembu, Lebese

Substitutes not used: Baron, Zwane, Nkambule

Match Officials

Referee: Kenias Marange (Zimbabwe)


Loyanda Somi (South Africa)


Reginald Motloung (South Africa)


4th Official: Daniel Bennet (South Africa)