Kaizer Chiefs’ Under-17 drew one-all against Orlando Pirates on Wednesday afternoon. It was an exciting game in which Amakhosi dominated, performing excellently and creating numerous goal scoring opportunities.

It was Chiefs’ third group game in the Future Champions International Tournament, which is held this week at Pimville’s Nike Centre.

Amakhosi’s Under-17s showed their class above all in the second half, with the Buccaneers players often chasing shadows. Midfielders like Sabelo Radebe and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo did great in midfield and Lebohang Lesako had a fine performance on the left wing.

It was Lesako who scored the opener early in the second half.

Even hereafter, it was Chiefs that looked the more threatening side. However, there was no further goal added.

Instead, it was Pirates that equalised from a set-piece with the Amakhosi defenders seemingly a little undecided.

The draw meant that Chiefs finished third in Group A, having collected one point from three matches. The group is topped by the Buccaneers with seven points and Brazil’s Atlético Mineiro came second with six points.

As a result of the third position, Chiefs’ Under-17s will now play for position nine to twelve, with the next match on Friday. The opponent will be Mpumalanga Black Aces. This encounter will take place at the Nike Centre (kick-off will be at 16:15, Field 2).

“We did well in the first half,” reflects goal scorer Lesako about the Pirates clash. However, coach Arthur Zwane demanded during the break even more effort for the second half.

“He told us to fight for our Kaizer Chiefs badge,” continues the winger, before commenting on the goal: “It was a corner and I positioned myself well in the box. Then, ‘Bibo’ (Sabelo Radebe) passed me the ball and I finished.”

Under-17s coach Zwane was disappointed about the draw (“we were clearly the better side”), but he also rued the missed chances: “It’s a worry, as we should have punished them when we got the opportunity. Another concern is that we often get out of the block slowly in the first half, but then do much better after halftime. It’s a problem and we need to work on that mental aspect.”

On the other hand, Zwane is satisfied with the lessons learnt: “Our boys got time against top international sides. It’s a good learning experience and with the lessons learnt at this tournament we will be able to take our game to another level.”