Kaizer Chiefs moved back into the top eight after playing to a 1-1 draw with AmaZulu on Sunday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: AmaZulu 1-1 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 12 May 2024
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Chiefs made three changes after their draw against TS Galaxy, as Sifiso Hlanti returned from suspension alongside recalls for Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and Zitha Kwinika.
The Glamour Boys had a dream start after going ahead inside the first two minutes after Ashley Du Preez intercepted a back pass in the box and fired a clinical shot past goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.
Cavin Johnson's charges gained confidence as on 19 minutes Ranga Chivaviro almost made it 2-0 with a strike from the edge of the box that was saved by Mothwa.
AmaZulu got into the game after that but they could not create chances and were nearly punished ten minutes before the interval from a counter-attack after Mduduzi Shabalala fired a shot that came off the inside of the post.
Usuthu kept on coming and Victor Letsoalo eventually equalised six minutes before the break with a low glancing header from close-range after a cross by Augustine Mulenga and the sides went to the interval level pegging.
For all your exclusive football content and breaking news, join our WhatsApp Channel here.The sides had a slow start in the second stanza and the game came to life again just after the hour-mark after Hendrick Ekstein forced a save out of goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma with a strike from the edge of the box.
As the encounter opened up, Chiefs also came close moments later after Christian Saile's low dipping shot was smothered by Mothwa.
In search of a winner with 15 minutes remaining, Johnson made a tactical and attacking change as Mfundo Vilakazi replaced Sibongiseni Mthethwa.
Vilakazi brought some immediate spark in the Chiefs attack but the visitors could not maintain it, as the game remained on the edge in the dying minutes.
Chiefs nearly stole all the three points in added time after Du Preez had a shot from a cut-back saved by Mothwa, who also denied Saile from a rebound.
A point moved Amakhosi back to eighth spot and AmaZulu remained in 12th.
Here's how they lined up:
AmaZulu: 44. Mothwa, 26. Jooste, 14. Hanamub, 23. Mphahlele, 43. Fielies, 2. Mobara, 8. Motshwari, 20. Ngema, 28. Letsoalo, 11. Mulenga, 27. Ekstein
Subs: 1. Mzimela, 25. Ngobeni, 5. Sikhakhane, 17. Gumede, 18. Brooks, 12. Maluleka, 15. Mbanjwa, 19. Moremi, 9. Kwem
Kaizer Chiefs: 44. Bvuma, 4. Kwinika, 27. Nj. Ngcobo, 24. Ditlhokwe, 23. Hlanti, 5. Mthethwa, 6. Sithebe, 42. Shabalala, 13. Mmodi, 9. Du Preez, 7. Chivaviro
Subs: 16. Khune, 35. McCarthy, 29. Jansen, 17. Castillo, 37. Zwane, 19. Mashiane, 28. Vilakazi, 21. Saile, 14. Gonzalez
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