Amakhosi slump to an 11th league defeat of the seaosn.
If Kaizer Chiefs are trying to lull Orlando Pirates into a false sense of security ahead of two Soweto derbies, then this is a genius masterplan.
Nasreddine Nabi’s Amakhosi flopped to a 2-1 loss at home to Marumo Gallants on Saturday at FNB Stadium, a sixth Betway Premiership game in a row that they have failed to win.
Chiefs are sitting ninth in the Premiership, in serious danger of failing to qualify for the MTN8 for the second season in a row. It is reasonable to question whether Chiefs’ head coach would still be in a job had Nabi not taken his side in to the Nedbank Cup final, where they will play Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium on May 10.
Before that, this Saturday, comes a Premiership derby at FNB Stadium. But even an exhausted Pirates, after a Champions League battle in Cairo, and a midweek Premiership clash with Sekhukhune, should fancy their chance of beating this Chiefs side.
It had looked far brighter for Chiefs on Saturday when they went in front in the tenth minute through a spectacular goal from Glody Lilepo. The Amakhosi winger cut in from the left side of the pitch and unleashed a right-footed shot that gave Gallants keeper Washington Arubi no chance.
But Gallants worked their way back in the game, and put Chiefs under plenty of pressure, thoroughly deserving their equaliser when it arrived in the 41st minute.
Daniel Msendami’s shot was parried by Bruce Bvuma. But the ball fell to the feet of Mathome Mathiane, who made no mistake from close range.
Nabi was seen ranting at his bench as the half drew to a close, clearly not happy with the way his team were playing.
And his half time decisions clearly showed that, as Nkosingiphile Nkgobo and Sibongiseni Mthethwa both came on, with Dillon Solomons and Thabo Cele the sacrificial lambs.
The game descended into a bit of a dull mess, with neither side able to create much. Chiefs, however, did almost take the lead again in the 64th minute. Mduduzi Shabalala’s superb pass released Wandile Duba. Duba beat Arubi but hit the post, and the ball rebounded off Ashley Du Preez and out for a goal kick.
Instead it was Gallants who took the lead in the 70th minute. A free kick from Msendami from a long way out bounced in front of Bvuma and found its way into the top corner of the net.
Chiefs nearly found an equaliser with four minutes left as Duba’s cross was headed goalward by substitute Edson Castillo. But Arubi produced a fine fingertip save.
