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Gallants, Chiefs play out draw in Rustenburg

football11 September 2022 15:14| © Backpage TXT
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Marumo Gallants and Kaizer Chiefs played out a 1-1 draw in their DStv Premiership match at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Sunday.

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa looked on course for a first victory of the season thanks to Mahlatse Makudubela’s early strike, but a red card for the hosts’ Ismael Toure and a late equaliser from the Amakhosi’s Zitha Kwinika ensured the spoils were shared.

The result extended Gallants' winless start to the season to seven games and saw them rise to 15th, while Chiefs are just two points and one position better off after registering a third straight league match without a victory.

The first clear chance went the way of Chiefs in the 10th minute, with Keagan Dolly and Lehlogonolo Matlou combining to send Kgaogelo Sekgota through on goal, but he shot high and wide with goalkeeper Ismail Watenga advancing on his position.

Two minutes later Gallants took advantage of a mistake in defence, with Zitha Kwinika failing to cut out Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo’s through ball – this allowed Mahlatse Makudubela to run in behind and strike a low shot past goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune for 1-0.

Chiefs were lethargic in trying to find a way back into the game, struggling to put together any genuine spells of pressure in attack – with their attempt at a high press stymied by the oppressive afternoon heat.

On 40 minutes they finally carved out a chance when Sekgota teed up Ashley Du Preez to shoot from just outside the penalty area, but he pulled his effort wide of the mark.

The half ended with Bahlabane Ba Ntwa still a goal to the good, having taken full advantage of the only true chance they had created.

The Amakhosi made an attacking change at the start of the second half, with striker Caleb Bimenyimana replacing Matlou, though it was Gallants who looked livelier initially, with Katlego Otladisa forcing Khune into a save with a low effort from a tight angle.

Midway through the second half the hosts were reduced to 10 men when defender Ismael Toure picked up his second yellow card for a mistimed challenge on Yusuf Maart, handing the initiative to Chiefs for the final quarter of the match.

The Soweto side duly equalised from a set piece in the 84th minute: Sifiso Hlanti’s free-kick delivery was flicked on by Sekgota and Kwinika headed home at the far post – though there was more than a hint of offside to the goal.

Chiefs looked for a winner in what remained of the match, but Gallants were able to hold out and ensure the match ended 1-1.

The teams will return to DStv Premiership action next weekend, with Gallants away to Chippa United and Chiefs at home to SuperSport United.

Marumo Gallants (1) 1 (Makudubela 12’)
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Kwinika 84’)

Gallants: Watenga, Khiba, Hlatshwayo, Toure, Mabotja, Manaka, Ndlondlo, Ngema (Maraisane 77’), Makudubela (Gumede 70’), Otladisa (Mokgope 76’), Dion (Koapeng 77’)

Chiefs: Khune, Solomons, Nj. Ngcobo, Kwinika, Hlanti, Matlou (Bimenyimana 46’), Maart (Blom 83’), Sithebe (Radebe 55’), Sekgota, Dolly (Mahlatsi 77’), Du Preez.

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