Wasteful Chiefs Held To A Draw By Galaxy

Kaizer Chiefs moved up to fourth place in the Betway Premiership, but their wastefulness in front of goal proved costly as they were held to a goalless draw by TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.

Despite dominating much of the match, Amakhosi nearly suffered a late setback when Junior Zindoga struck the upright in stoppage time—Galaxy’s only effort on target in the entire game.

The draw lifts Chiefs to fourth on the log with 24 points from 13 matches, nudging them ahead of AmaZulu on goal difference. Galaxy is eighth in the table with 21 points after 14 matches.

Chiefs entered the match boasting the second-best away record in the league, having won three of their previous four matches on the road—the only stumble being a draw against Chippa United in their previous game.

But they came up against a Galaxy side equally strong at home, sitting third in the home-form standings behind Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Galaxy had won four of their last five home matches, with their only defeat coming against Durban City on the opening day of the season. They were always going to make life difficult for Chiefs, who were chasing a fourth away victory.

However, Chiefs’ wastefulness became clear early when Mdu Shabalala failed to convert after attempting to chip Ira Tape, who rushed off his line to avert the danger.

Amakhosi were then denied what appeared to be a clear goal in the 19th minute. Flavio Da Silva finished confidently past Tape, but the assistant referee flagged for offside—even though replays showed Da Silva was onside when Lehlogonolo Matlou played the ball through.

Shabalala had another chance from a tight angle after a pass from Khanyisa Mayo, but Tape was alert and tipped the effort out for a corner.

Chiefs continued to pile on the pressure, with Tape producing another brilliant save to deny Mayo’s powerful header—his seventh save of the match as the Ivorian shot-stopper kept Galaxy in the contest.

Backed by a strong turnout of travelling supporters, Chiefs overwhelmed Galaxy both in transitions and in sustained attacks, causing constant problems for the home side’s defence.

Coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze gave fans something to cheer about when rising star Luke Baartman made his season debut, coming on for Matlou with 10 minutes to play. Baartman, who was involved in a lengthy transfer saga with Cape Town Spurs, nearly made an instant impact when he met a cross at the back post, but his shot was deflected wide.

Chiefs continued to miss chances, with Glody Lilepo squandering the best of them in the 83rd minute. Inacio Miguel flicked the ball into his path, leaving him unmarked at the far post, but the Congolese attacker miskicked and the ball skewed off his boot.

Galaxy could have stolen the points late on when Zindoga let fly with a fierce strike that thundered off the post in added time. It was a let-off for Chiefs, who were inches away from suffering their first away defeat of the season.

Galaxy were reduced to 10 men deep into stoppage time when Nhlanhla Mgaba was shown a red card for a studs-up challenge on Asanele Velebayi.

Chiefs had one final opportunity to snatch the win when Miguel met a dangerous cross from Dillan Solomons with a glancing header, but it drifted narrowly wide. In the end, Amakhosi were left to rue the numerous chances they failed to convert.