Ranga Chivaviro came off the bench to score a crucial last-minute equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw for Kaizer Chiefs against TS Galaxy in a hard-fought Betway Premiership meeting at a steaming hot Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Monday.
Samukele Kabini had given the hosts a 1-0 halftime lead, after heading home in the 35th minute, yet Amakhosi battled right till the last and were rewarded for their determination with a late, late leveller when Chivaviro finally found the net six minutes into referee’s added time.
Amakhosi started a little shakily in the opening stages, perhaps a bit reticent about conceding too early and struggled to establish any momentum by giving up possession too easily in midfield.
However, they withstood the early pressure and began to express themselves as the half wore on. Ashley Du Preez had Amakhosi’s best chance in the 2nd minute when Mduduzi Shabalala turned gracefully to get away from his marker and slipped the ball behind the Galaxy defence to put the striker through on goal.
Unfortunately, Du Preez shot a fraction wide as the goalkeeper came out to narrow the angle. A minute later, Rushwin Dortley confirmed his credentials as an up and coming defensive star with a superb last-ditch tackle on Victor Letsoalo as he darted into the Chiefs penalty box.
Inacio Miguel headed a Njabulo Blom cross over the bar in the 32nd minute, as the Gold & Black began to assert themselves.
It was thus against the run of play that Galaxy took the lead three minutes later. Chiefs were unable to sufficiently clear a corner and Sphiwe Mahlangu’s cross from the left was nodded in by Kabini to give the hosts the lead.
The Glamour Boys immediately went looking for an equaliser but the home team were content to contain them and see out the half with a one goal advantage.
For the second successive match, Coach Nabi made a triple substitution during the break, sending on Chivaviro, Tebogo Potsane and Mfundo Vilakazi. The change almost had a instant impact as a good passing move created space for Shabalala, whose cross bounced off the top of the crossbar.
Amakhosi continued to probe, with Potsane looking dangerous down the left flank. On 57 minutes he broke away and crossed for Chivaviro and it took a desperate challenge from Kabini to thwart the big striker’s designs on levelling the scores.
He then set up Shabalala but the youngster’s effort was off target.Chiefs had a strong claim for a penalty in the 65th minute when Reeve Frosler was clattered by the flailing fist of Galaxy ‘keeper, Ira Tape as he attempted unsuccessfully to punch the ball away.
However, referee Masixole Bambiso waved away the Chiefs appeals despite what seemed a certain foul.
