Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu were forced to settle for an intense 1-1 stalemate in their latest Betway Premiership assignment at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Soweto Giants were all over their opponents for large parts of the encounter, however, goals by Mduduzi Shabalala and Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya remained on the scoreboard until the final whistle.
Amakhosi commenced the game with guns blazing as Pule Mmodi and Makabi Lilepo made their presence felt with shots inside the 18-yard area within the first five minutes. With the majority of the ball at their feet, Chiefs probed while AmaZulu sat back, soaking up the early pressure.
Despite Chiefs’ dominance during the opening exchanges of the match, it was AmaZulu who took the lead in the 21st minute, with Ngwenya getting on the end of a header from close range.
With their opponents a goal to the good, Amakhosi were awarded a penalty moments before the half-hour mark after Riaan Hanamub handled the ball inside the box. However, Lilepo’s effort was saved by Darren Johnson, which kept Chiefs at bay momentarily.
Amakhosi managed to level the scoring two minutes after missing their spot kick, as Shabalala added his name to the scoresheet with a well-taken effort from the left side of the penalty area.
Chiefs went immediately about their business at the restart, after Dillan Solomons had a go from range in the 51st minute. Then, moments before the hour-mark, Shabalala let off a shot from outside the area, which was blocked by his opposite number.
The home side continued to see more of the ball at the mid-way point of the second 45, while Hanamub added to his side’s goal attempts tally in the 68th minute following a shot on the edge of the area.
With the clock ticking down at the FNB Stadium, Chiefs remained on the front foot while AmaZulu proved to be a tough nut to crack defensively.
Nonetheless, with neither side able to make their final goal-scoring opportunities count, the game ended in a stalemate at the Calabash.
Kaizer Chiefs: (1) 1 (Shabalala 32’)
AmaZulu: (1) 1 (Ngwenya 21’)
KAIZER CHIEFS: Peterson, Macheke, Miguel, Mthethwa, Cross, Ngcobo (Cele 78’), Solomons, Shabalala (Sirino 78’), Lilepo (Silva 76’), Mmodi, Mayo (Duba 84’)
AMAZULU: Johnson, Mthethwa, Fielies, Allan, Hanamub, Sithole (Maqokola 67’), Mbanjwa, Radebe, Ekstein, Ngwenya, Kutumela (Zulu 67’)