Kaizer Chiefs saw their winning run in the DStv Premiership come to an end after drawing 1-1 with Marumo Gallants on Saturday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 1-1 Marumo Gallants
Date: 08 April 2023
Venue: FNB Stadium
Chiefs drafted Yusuf Maart back into the line-up after he returned from suspension, with Siyethemba Sithebe dropping to the bench as the only change from their win over Stellenbosch.
Amakhosi had a dream start as Ashley Du Preez opened the scoring within six minutes from the first whistle, with a low strike across goal after he raced through on goal from a defence splitting pass by Maart.
Arthur Zwane's charges pressed Gallants high and they should have doubled their lead on 17 minutes after Du Preez intercepted a headed back pass by Tshepo Gumede in the box but his back-heel towards goal lacked power and was gathered by goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa got into the game after that, with a couple of threats and Ranga Chivaviro eventually pulled them level nine minutes before the interval with a neat finish past goalkeeper Brandon Petersen at his near post after he out-muscled Edmilson Dove off the ball.
The Glamour Boys had the momentum towards the interval as Maart came close to restoring their lead with a rocket from outside of the box that was bravely punched away by Arubi.
Chiefs had a bright start in the second stanza as Siyabonga Ngezana came close to restoring their lead nine minutes in with a glancing header that missed the far post by a whisker.
The hosts kept on coming and Christian Saile Basomboli should have made it 2-1 just after the hour-mark after a lob over the defence gave him a clear sight of goal in the box but he blasted his volley over the crossbar near the six-yard box.
With no luck in attack, Zwane changed the approach with 19 minutes to go, as Keagan Dolly made way for Happy Mashiane and George Matlou replaced Mduduzi Shabalala.
Gallants were threatening with their moments going forward and Mpho Mvelase nearly gave them the lead 11 minutes before time with a header in the box that came off the far post after a cross by Celimpilo Ngema.
The game was on the balance in the dying minutes but Chiefs had more chances as Dillan Solomons also missed a golden opportunity unmarked at the back post and the sides shared the spoils.
Amakhosi fell two points behind Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United in fourth place on the log while Gallants jumped Maritzburg United in 15th spot on the table with a superior goal difference.
Here's how they lined up:
Kaizer Chiefs: 1. Petersen, 18. Solomons, 2. Dove, 20, Ngezana, 13. Hlanti, 8. Maart, 36. Zwane, 47. Shabalala, 10. Dolly, 9. Du Preez, 21. Saile.
Subs: 16. Khune, 24. Kwinika, 6. Sithebe, 27. Ngcobo, 22. Matlou, 19. Mashiane, 5. Mahlatsi, 28. Bimenyimana, 14. Sekgota.
Marumo Gallants: 36. Arubi, 24. Mvelase, 5. Mabotja, 29. Gumede, 2. Nkili, 17. Mohomi, 7. Nku, 11. Otladisa, 10. Ngema, 14. Koapeng, 8. Chivaviro.
Subs: 16. Watenga, 22. Thangwane, 50. Pheko, 32. Makudubela, 31. Maraisane, 27. Nkosi, 30. Khumalo, 33. Moseamedi.
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