Amakhosi have now gone eight top flight matches on the spin without a win.
Kaizer Chiefs came back to earth in the land of mid-table mediocrity on Saturday, a 1-1 draw at Sekhukhune United not enough to get Amakhosi back into the top eight of the Betway Premiership, with just one match left to play.
This was an eighth consecutive Premiership match that Nasreddine Nabi’s Chiefs have failed to win. As much as they have finally won a trophy – the Nedbank Cup last weekend – a failure to improve in the league is exactly why rumours over Nabi’s future continue to persist.
For Sekhukhune, meanwhile, this was a blow to their bid to finish third and qualify for next season’s Caf Confederation Cup. Stellenbosch’s 2-1 win at home to SuperSport gives them a one point advantage on Eric Tinkler’s side, with one game left to play.
With Angolan defender Inacio Miguel out through suspension, Nabi opted to partner Edmilson Dove and Zitha Macheke in central defence at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. 21 year-old Aden McCarthy, meanwhile, was handed his Premier Soccer League debut at left back.
But it was Sekhukhune who got off to the perfect start in Polokwane, going in front after just four minutes.Â
Vusumzi Mncube’s cross from the right found Mpho Rammala inside the box and he spun and deceived Brandon Peterson with a low shot that beat the Chiefs’ keeper at his near post.Â
Peterson did far better on the half hour mark, springing to his right to tip away a rocket of a shot from Keletso Makgalwa as the home side threatened to double their lead.Â
Chiefs did get better as the half wore on. Zitha Kwinika’s cross from the right found Nedbank Cup hero Yusuf Maart. But his header was straight at Sekhukhune ‘keeper Renaldo Leaner.
Wandile Duba then found Gaston Sirino inside the area with a clever pass. But with the goal gaping, Sirino opted to try and return the ball to Duba and the danger was cleared.Â
Chiefs did get their equaliser, however, in first half stoppage time. Glody Lilepo cut in from the left hand side, was not pressed by the Sekhukhune defence, and curled a fine effort past Leaner and into the corner of the net.Â
Tinkler’s side should really have known better than not to get out to Lilepo. The goal was all-too similar to the Congolese winger’s strike against Marumo Gallants that earned him the Goal of the Month Award for April.Â
Both sides had chances to grab the lead after the break. Chiefs winger Pule Mmodi stung Leaner’s palms from outside the box.
At the other end, Peterson then needlessly gave possession away and had to scramble back to make a fine stop.
Sekhukhune should have gone in front in the 65th minute, as Mncube raced through on goal, but with only Peterson to beat, and the ball sitting up perfectly for him, he somehow fired wide. The stunned reaction from the Sekhukhune bench said it all.
Chiefs then saw Mmodi sent off in the dying moments of the game, for an elbow on Shaune Mogaila.
