Kaizer Chiefs let a two-goal lead slip against Royal AM to draw 2-2 in their Betway Premiership on Saturday evening.
Betway Premiership
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 2-2 Royal AM
Date: 30 November 2024
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Chiefs made two changes to the side that beat Richards Bay, as they were boosted by the return of Gaston Sirino alongside Dillan Solomons, who took the place of the suspended Reeve Frosler.
The Glamour Boys had an ideal start after Ashley Du Preez sent them ahead within the first five minutes with a low shot between the legs of goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto after a through ball by Yusuf Maart.
Nasreddine Nabi's charges remained on the front foot and six minutes later Wandile Duba doubled their lead with a side-footed finish at the near post after a cut-back by Solomons.
Chiefs had an injury blow a moment later as Solomons seems to have pulled his hamstring and he was replaced by Njabulo Blom.
Amakhosi continued to pin back Royal AM in their own half and on the half-hour mark Du Preez almost made it 3-0 with a low drive that came off the post.
Nabi's men slowed down the tempo of the game but should have been 3-0 up at half-time after Maart went clear on goal but his chip over Mpoto sailed slightly over the crossbar.
Royal AM were fired up from the interval as six minutes into the second stanza Ayabulela Maxwele pulled a goal back with a powerful volley after he caught the Chiefs defence napping and went through on goal.
After a slow start in the early stages of the second stanza, the Tunisian mentor needed fresh legs in attack with 20 minutes to go, as Ranga Chivaviro and Pule Mmodi both came on for Du Preez and Sirino.
Chiefs regained their spark going forward and with 13 minutes left, Mmodi had a big chance to kill off the game after he rounded Mpoto but played a cut-back that was wasted by the hosts.
Amakhosi were eventually punished for their missed chances after Levy Mashiane levelled matters for Thwihli Thwahla in the last minute with a strike past goalkeeper Brandon Petersen after he went through on goal.
Here's how they lined up:
Kaizer Chiefs: 1. Petersen, 18. Solomons, 25. Msimango, 14. Dortley, 48. Cross, 8. Maart, 5. Mthethwa, 42. Shabalala, 36. Duba, 10. Sirino, 9. Du Preez
Subs: 44. Bvuma, 24. Ditlhokwe, 13. Mmodi, 6. Blom, 37. Zwane, 19. Mashiane, 37. Vilakazi, 7. Chivaviro, 21. Saile
Royal AM: 25. Mpoto, 31. Jiyane, 37. Zulu, 14. Matlaba, 19. Shezi, 5. M. Dlamini, 12. Mahlasela, 48. Maxwele, 35. B. Dlamini, 10.Mpisane, 45. George
Subs: 32. Ngcobo, 13. Manganyi, 20. Mkhize, 70. Gumede, 46. Sithebe, 34. Thikazi, 11. Sithole, 77. Cele, 38. Mashiane
