Sekhukhune United (1) 1
(Mokwana 42’)

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1
(Chivaviro 81’)

New Peter Mokaba stadium, Polokwane

A brilliant late goal from substitute Ranga Chivaviro earned Kaizer Chiefs a valuable point, as they came from behind to draw, 1-1 against Sekhukhune United at the New Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane on Saturday night.

Playing their final fixture of 2023, Amakhosi trailed at halftime to an Elias Mokwana goal, before Chivaviro equalised in the 80^th minute for a share of the spoils. Amakhosi might well feel disappointed not to come away with all three points, having squandered numerous chances in the second half.

The early exchanges produced a fascinating tactical battle with both teams closing down quickly to deny any space to create opportunities.

Amakhosi’s first effort on goal came after 18 minutes when Ashley Du Preez broke free down the inside right channel but his shot was blocked by goalkeeper, Renaldo Leaner at his near post.

Moments later, Sekhukhune broke forward and Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya unleashed a fierce shot from long range that grazed the post with Bruce Bvuma beaten.

Bvuma redeemed himself shortly afterwards, reacting smartly to deny Vusimuzi Ncube with a fine reflex save, and then scrambled across to keep the ball from rolling into his goal after it freakishly deflected off Edmilson Dove.

The scare seemed to wake Chiefs up and from then they took control of the game. Great skill down the left from Du Preez saw him beat three defenders before pulling a cross back that was skied over the bar by Given Msimango.

On 40 minutes Pule Mmodi had a powerful strike parried away by Leaner, as Amakhosi searched for the goal that would reflect their dominance.

However, three minutes from half time, Kamohelo Mokotjo swung in a cross from the left and Elias Mokwana rose to plant a header past Bvuma to put the hosts into the lead against the run of play at the halftime break.

Playing a few yards further up the pitch in the second half, Amakhosi began to exert pressure on the Babina Noko defence but time and again their finishing let them down. In the 50^th minute, Yusuf Maart shot wide from long range, as did Pule Mmodi a few minutes later, after some excellent build-up work.

Another substitute, Christian Saile spurned the best chance of the game when he rushed his effort in front of goal after S’fiso Hlanti found him free inside the box.

Then, with 9 minutes left in the match, Maart lofted a cleared corner back into the danger area where Saile cushioned the ball down for Chivaviro to unleash an unstoppable first-time rocket that flew into the top corner of the net.

Amakhosi had a good shout for a penalty waved away in the dying minutes as Saile seemed to be fouled by Tresor Tshibwabwa and Chivaviro belted a free kick over the bar with the very last kick of the game, as the Glamour Boys went all out for a winner.

It was not to be and they had to settle for a point, although it maintains a growing unbeaten run they will take into the new year when the league resumes in February after the AFCON tournament,

Line-ups:

Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma (32), Hlanti (23), Dove (2), Msimango (25), Frosler (39), Mthethwa (5) (Zwane (37) 72’), Maart © (8), Nk Ngcobo (12) (Potsane (11) 76’), Mmodi (13), Du Preez (9) (Chivaviro (7) 76’), Gonzalez (14) (Saile Basomboli (21) 45’)

Subs not used: Petersen (44); Solomons (18), Nj Ngcobo (27), Mashiane (19), Shabalala (42)

Coach: Cavin Johnson

Sekhukhune United: Leaner (16); Mobbie (2), Ntiya-Ntiya (36), Tshibwabwa (29), Baartman (5), Sithole (24) (Webber (8) 79’), Mokotjo © (12) (Mtshali (6) 70’), Mokwana (17), Ohizu (34), Mkhize (15), Mncube (10) (Masiya (20) 70’)

Subs not used: Sangare (30); Rikhotso (22), Cardoso (4),Tiwani (43), Thutlwa (21), Makgaka (46)

Coach: Lehlohonolo Seema