Disappointing Draw Leaves AmaZulu and Chiefs Outside Top Eight
AmaZulu and Kaizer Chiefs failed to capitalize on their respective pushes for the top eight, settling for a 1-1 draw in front of a healthy crowd at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday.
Both sides entered the match aiming for a win to climb the DStv Premiership table. However, neither team took significant control of the game, resulting in a stalemate that leaves their top-eight aspirations hanging in the balance.
Chiefs enjoyed a dream start when a misplaced pass from AmaZulu’s Celimpilo Ngema gifted Ashley Du Preez a chance to score in the second minute.
Sifiso Hlanti, playing against his former club, nearly doubled Chiefs’ lead with a free-kick in the 20th minute, but Veli Mothwa in the AmaZulu goal made a crucial save.
Chiefs continued to press, with Mdu Shabalala rattling the upright in the 36th minute. However, their focus seemed to waver shortly after. Augustine Mulenga capitalized on this lapse in concentration, setting up Victor Letsoalo for the equalizer in the 39th minute.
The second half saw a shift in momentum. Coach Pablo Franco Martin’s substitutions impacted AmaZulu positively, as they controlled possession and created more chances. Conversely, Chiefs struggled to replicate their first-half dominance.
A late introduction of Mfundo Vilakazi for Chiefs briefly sparked excitement in the crowd, but ultimately, the match fizzled out without a clear winner.
The draw leaves both teams outside the top eight. AmaZulu remain in 11th, needing wins in their remaining matches and favorable results elsewhere to climb the table. Chiefs, who dropped out of the top eight after Polokwane City’s draw, face an uphill battle to regain their position in the top eight.
Picture courtesy of AmaZulu