Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1
(Mayo 39’)

Marumo Gallants (0) 1
(Clifford 75’)

Betway Premiership
FNB stadium, Nasrec

Gaston Sirino’s first-half penalty miss proved costly as Marumo Gallants came from a goal down to salvage a 1-1 draw against Kaizer Chiefs in their Heritage Day Betway Premiership clash at FNB stadium on Wednesday.

Khanyisa Mayo marked his debut in Gold & Black with a sherply taken 39^th minute goal before Sirino had his penalty saved by Washington Arubi on the stroke of half-time. Gallants substitute, Jaisen Clifford equalised with 15 minutes remaining to earn a share of the spoils for the visitors.

Looking to establish their home advantage immediately, Amakhosi dominated the early moments of the match and had the Gallants defence scampering to keep them from scoring within the opening five minutes.

However, the visitors were the first to threaten in the 14^th minute when Daniel Msendami latched onto a long ball out of defence that evaded the Chiefs back line and forced a fine reflex parry from Brandon Petersen to keep his goal intact. Amakhosi responded barely a minute later with Reeve Frosler setting up Siphesihle Ndlovu for a shot from the edge of the box that Washington Arubi managed to save low to his left.

On 35 minutes, Mayo nodded the ball into the path of Paseka Mako, whose shot was saved by Arubi.

The Gallants goalkeeper wasn’t so fortunate four minutes later though, as Zitha Kwinika played the ball into the box for Ashley Du Preez to touch it first-time into the path of Mayo who, showing a natural striker’s instinct, reacted quicker than his marker to jab Chiefs into the lead on his first appearance for the Club.

It could have been even better for the hosts when, on the stroke of half-time, Chiefs were awarded a penalty for handball against Marvin Sikhosana as Du Preez slipped past the Gallants defender’s sliding attempt to tackle him. Regrettably, Sirino’s spot-kick was saved by Arubi and the Glamour Boys had to settle for a 1-0 lead at the break.

Through no lack of effort from the players, clear-cut chances in the second half were a rarity, as both teams managed to prevent the other from gaining enough rhythm to piece together meaningful attacks.

Du Preez struck a free kick narrowly wide just past the hour mark and Glody Lilepo, on as a substitute, saw a long-range drive gathered by Arubi in the 66^th minute.

Gallants drew level in the 75^th minute when Clifford cut in from the left and curled a shot past Petersen three minutes after coming off the bench.

Amakhosi pushed for a winner but were unable to break through the Gallants defence which had closed ranks to protect what they had rather than go for victory.

When the final whistle came, Chiefs were still pressing forward in search of a goal but ran out of time.

The result takes them to 14 points from their seven matches, still in third place on the log for the time being and the players and technical staff will now turn their attention to Saturday’s crucial CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round second-leg against Kabuscorp SCP at FNB stadium.

Post match facts

This was the seventh league game between Kaizer Chiefs and Marumo Gallants, and the fourth draw between the teams.

Kaizer Chiefs have managed to score in five of their six league games against Marumo Gallants, scoring in each of their last five games against them.

In all four games when hosting Marumo Gallants, Chiefs have scored.

Khanyisa Mayo scored on debut for Kaizer Chiefs, becoming the second debutant to score for Chiefs this season, along with Flavio Da Silva.

Mayo and his father Patrick have both now scored for the Club. Mayo senior’s first league goal for Chiefs was Amakhosi’s opening goal in a 4-0 away win over Zulu Royals on 17 December 2003.

Line-ups

Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen (1), Mako (29) (Mmodi (13) 82’), Kwinika © (4), Miguel (84), Mthethwa (5), Frosler (39), Cross (48), Ndlovu (8) (Cele (21) 46’), Sirino (10) (Shabalala (7) 59’), Mayo (3) (Lilepo (99) 59’), Du Preez (9) (Ngcobo (12) 82’)

Subs not used: Ntwari (30), Solomons (18), McCarthy (35), Da Silva (77)

Coaches: Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze

Marumo Gallants: Arubi (36), Sikhosana (35), Chabatsane (18), Mphambaniso (10) (Motloung (27) 72’), Mhlongo (33) (Ncube (13) 82’), Msendami (22) (Clifford (9) 72’), Nhlapho (50), Ndlondlo (15) (K. Sithole (7) 82’), C. Sithole (26), Mabotja (4), Mabuza (39) (Khumalo (20) 87’)

Subs not used: Mlambo (16), James (21), Luthuli (8), Mashao (13)

Coach: Alexandre Lafitte