Magesi FC (1) 2
(Makhubu 6’, Chirambadare 72’)

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 2
(Shabalala 76’, 77’)

Betway Premiership
New Peter Mokaba stadium, Polokwane

Two goals inside a minute by Mduduzi Shabalala helped Kaizer Chiefs come from 2-0 down to earn a point in an exciting Betway Premiership clash against Magesi FC at the New Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane on Wednesday evening.

Wonderboy Makhubu has the home team 1-0 ahead at the break before Edmore Chirambadare doubled the lead with 18 minutes left. Shabalala struck twice in the final 15 minutes to level the scores at 2-2, which was how it ended.

In what has become a feature under Coach Nasreddine Nabi’s reign, Amakhosi made a fast start to the match, immediately pinning the hosts back through quick movement of both ball and runners. Yet, with Magesi’s first attack of the match – and, in fact, their only meaningful attack of the entire first half – Chiefs were caught cold at the back, allowing John Mokone too much space on the left to cross for Makhubu a free header inside the 6-yard box, which he nodded past Fiacre Ntwari after six minutes.

Amakhosi continued to press forward in search of an equaliser and in the 12^th minute, Shabalala was the first to test Elvis Chipezeze in the Magesi goal with a shot from the edge of the box. Mfundo Vilakazi grazed the crossbar with a well-struck shot four minutes later, and Ranga Chivaviro had a header saved by the ‘keeper with 20 minutes gone.

While Chiefs enjoyed almost unlimited possession, the Magesi players formed a close-knit barrier across their penalty area, leaving little space to make openings, and Amakhosi found them a tough nut to crack. On 29 minutes, some sublime skill from the prodigious Vilakazi saw him break free down the right before delivering a peach of a cross for Chivaviro to head straight at Chipezeze.

As the half drew to a close, Rushwin Dortley had a header tipped over the bar by Chipezeze from a Shabalala corner and, in first half stoppage time, Shabalala’s ripping shot was too hot ofr the ‘keeper to handle and he managed to beat it away, as they went into the break with the score 1-0 to the home side.

The early stages of the second half were relatively scrappy, as Magesi harried and hustled to put Chiefs off their stride, but ignited in the final 20 minutes.

Magesi earned a free kick in a dangerous area on 72 minutes and Chirambadare struck a sweet left-footed curler past Fiacre Ntwari to send the Home fans into dreamland.

Their joy was short-lived, however, as Amakhosi showed their renowned fighting spirit to claw their way back into the match.

Some superb creative skill by substitute, Gasto Sirino, found Shabalala’s darting run into space and the youngster finished superbly from a tight angle to halve the deficit.

Chiefs won back possession immediately from the restart and Dortley sent a long ball forward which another sub, Wandlie Duba lashed against the post. As the Amakhosi faithful gasped in despair, the rebound fell to Shabalala to volley into the back of the net.

The Glamour Boys laid siege to the Magesi goal, desperate for a winner but the Premiership newcomers held out for a share of the spoils.

The point takes Amakhosi to eighth spot in the Betway Premiership standings, with seven points from their five fixtures. Attention now switches to the mega-clash against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Black Label Knockout Challenge on the weekend.

Line-ups:

Kaizer Chiefs: Ntwari (30), Frosler (39), Dortley (14), Msimango (25), Cross (48) (Mashiane (19) 56’), Maart © (8) (Zwane (37) 62’), Blom (6), Shabalala (42), Vilakazi (28) (Duba (36) 64’), Ngcobo (12) (Sirino (10) 45’), Chivaviro (7) (Du Preez (9) 45’)

Subs not used: Bvuma (44), Solomons (18), Ditlhokwe (24), Mmodi (13)

Coach: Nasreddine Nabi

Magesi FC: Chipezeze © (1), Chirambadare (21) (Sekgota (14) 74’), J. Mokone (8), Abrahams (25), L. Mokone (34), Mzava (33), Darpoh (6), Mekoa (28), Kakora (16) (Buthelezi (3) 74’), Makhubu (41) (Manzini (19) 84’), Mashigo (2) (Matima (35) 60’)

Sub not used: Mpandle (31), Baloyi (12), Njoti (27), Rademeyer (18), Masegela (15)

Coach: Clinton Larsen