Despite taking an early lead, Kaizer Chiefs went down 2-1 to Marumo Gallants at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, a result that hurt their ambitions of a top-eight finish in this season’s Betway Premiership.
Glody Lilepo gave Amakhosi the lead with a contender for goal-of-the-season in the 10th minute before Trevor Mathiane equaised in the 41st minute.
Marumo Gallants’ winner came in freakish fashion in the 70th minute, as Daniel Msendami’s long free-kick from deep sailed over everybody and bounced into the net past Bruce Bvuma.
Fairly even
The initial exchanges were fairly even as both teams looked to set themselves into a rhythm.
Amakhosi’s first attack of note came after five minutes when Ashley du Preez slipped Wandile Duba into space down the right but his ball across the box evaded everybody.
Lilepo headed wide a few moments later but then sent the supporters that filled the stands wild with delight in the 10th minute with a piece of genuine magic.
The Congolese winger received the ball wide on the left and glided past three defenders as if they weren’t there, cutting inside and letting fly with a rocket that flew into the far top corner of the net.
Marumo Gallants tried to respond and Kaizer Chiefs conceded a number of free-kicks inside their own half in an effort to protect their makeshift central defence of Zitha Kwinika and Bradley Cross, although they largely dealt competently with any threats.
Amakhosi had a good potential opportunity to double the lead after 35 minutes when they had a three-on-two attack, but Du Preez was unable to release Duba and Marumo Gallants were given the chance to regroup.
The visitors equalised four minutes before the break through Mathiane, who volleyed the ball home on the rebound after Bvuma had parried Msendami’s shot into his path, and the teams went into half-time level at a goal apiece.
Proved costly
In a generally scrappy second half, Kaizer Chiefs’ best chance fell to Duba in the 64th minute.
Mduduzi Shabalala turned beautifully to open up the midfield and slipped the ball to Duba clean in on goal.
The youngster did everything right, except the ball struck the inside of the post with goalkeeper, Washington Arubi completely beaten.
It proved costly six minutes later when Msendami launched a long free-kick into the Kaizer Chiefs box from about 50 yards out.
Marumo Gallants substitute, Phatutshedzo Nange jumped to head the ball on but couldn’t make contact and the ball bounced awkwardly for Bvuma, who could not keep it out.
With only three rounds of the campaign remaining, Kaizer Chiefs have slipped to ninth place in the Betway Premiership league standings and have a pack of teams chasing just below them.
Winning next weekend’s Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates will go a long way towards securing that coveted Top 8 spot, as well as building confidence going into the Nedbank Cup final against the same opponents a week later.
TEAMS
Kaizer Chiefs
Bvuma (44), Cross(48), Kwinika (4), Solomons (18) (Mthethwa (5) 46’),Mashiane (19) (Morris (40) 80’), Maart (8 – captain), Cele (21) (Ngcobo (12) 46’), Shabalala (42) (Castillo (17) 65’), Du Preez(9) (Potsane (11) 65’), Lilepo (99), Duba (36)
Subs not used: Ntwari (30), McCarthy (35), Miguel (84), Matlou (22)
Coach: Nasreddine Nabi
Marumo Gallants
Arubi (36 – captain), Mabotja (21), Ncube (13), Mathiane (25), Mokobodi (8) (Conde (48) 82’), Msendami (22) (Mpamabaniso (10) 82’), Mahlatsi (6) (Dhludhlu (11) 68’), Nemtajela (15), Dion (33) (Khumalo M (16) 68’), Sibiya (24), Nhlapo (50) (Nange (14) 46’)
Subs not used: Akpeyi (16), Ndlovu (30), Chabatsane (18), Khumalo E (20)
Coach: Abdeslam Ouaddou
Will Kaizer Chiefs finish in the top half of the final Betway Premiership standings?
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