Posted in News on May 11, 2016.
Kaizer Chiefs drew 2-2 to Free State Stars in an Absa Premiership match at Bethlehem’s Goble Park Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Willard Katsande scored Amakhosi’s goal from the penalty spot in the first half, while Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the equaliser in extra time, highlighting his 300th official appearance wearing the Gold & Black.
Tsepo Masilela came back into the team to replace the suspended Keegan Ritchie at the left-back position.
Meanwhile, it was a special night for captain Tshabalala, playing in his 300th official game in the Chiefs jersey.
Ea Lla Koto fielded a makeshift squad ahead of their Nedbank Cup clash against Orlando Pirates on Saturday and, as a result of this, Chiefs were clearly the better team.
However, against the run of play, it was the home side that scored the opener in the 15th minute, thanks to former Amakhosi striker Sthembiso Ngcobo.
The visitors got a few good opportunities to score, the best of which came for Erick Mathoho in the 38th minute. The defender got a header in front of goal, but he failed to head the ball on target.
Referee Zolile Mthetho had no other choice than to award Chiefs a penalty when Reneilwe Letsholonyane was brought down. Willard Katsande easily finished from the spot in the 41th minute, 1-1.
The second half started as the first, with Amakhosi having most of the ball possession.
However, it was the home side that scored the second in the 54th minute, when Nyiko Tshabungu hit a sitter from outside the box, leaving Itumeleng Khune no chance.
Coach Steve Komphela rang the changes in the 68th minute when Camaldine Abraw and George Maluleka came on for respectively Bernard Parker and Reneilwe Letsholonyane.
It was the Togolese striker who got a perfect opportunity to equalise soon after coming on, but he failed to hit the ball cleanly from close range.
Amakhosi tried to come back. However, it wasn’t easy.
Eventually it was captain Tshabalala who scored the equaliser in extra time. It was a well-deserved result.
Chiefs are still in fourth position on the Absa Premiership log, having collected 46 points from 29 matches.
Amakhosi host Chippa United in their last Absa Premiership game this season at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, 21 May (kick-off is at 15:00).
Free State Stars (1) 2 (Ngcobo 15’, Tshabangu 54’)
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 2 (Katsande, penalty, 41’, Tshabalala 91’)
Free State Stars:
Kaizer Chiefs: Khune; Moleko, Mathoho, Gould, Masilela; Twala, Katsande, Letsholonyane (Maluleka 68’), Lebese; Tshabalala, Parker (Abraw 68’)
