UPDATED log after Kaizer Chiefs draw at TS Galaxy

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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 afternoon.

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Samukelo Kabini had given the hosts a 1-0 half-time 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.

Narrow the angle

Ashley du Preez had Amakhosi’s best chance in the second minute when Mduduzi Shabalala turned gracefully to get away from his marker and slipped the ball behind the TS 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 TS Galaxy took the lead three minutes later.

Kaizer 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 Nasreddine 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.

Kaizer Chiefs had a strong claim for a penalty in the 65th minute when Reeve Frosler was clattered by the flailing fist of TS Galaxy goalkeeper Ira Tape as he attempted unsuccessfully to punch the ball away.

However, referee Masixole Bambiso waved away the Kaizer Chiefs appeals despite what seemed a certain foul.

Vilakazi had a shot blocked two minutes later, as Amakhosi intensified their quest to restore parity.

The teenager’s desire to help the team back into the match was evident again when he shot just wide in the 83rd minute.

As time ticked away, Amakhosi had a chance to equalise after four minutes of the referee’s six minutes of added time at the end but Christian Saile, on as a late sub, couldn’t guide Mashiane’s cross on target.

Then, just as it appeared all hope was lost, Kaizer Chiefs won a corner in the final minute of stoppage time and as the ball came into the penalty area, Chivaviro was there to finish from close range to completely change the mood in the stands from despair to elation among the thousands of Amakhosi faithful inside the Mombela stadium.

Moments later, the referee brought and end to the contest with the score at 1-1.

Ninth in the log

The point saw Kaizer Chiefs remain ninth in the standings with 12 points after nine matches this season.

Meanwhile, TS Galaxy stayed 11th with 10 points after 10 games.

After nine matches, Kaizer Chiefs are down in ninth place in the 16-team league with 12 points.

The Soweto giants are closer to the bottom of the log (six points) than they are to log leaders and defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns (nine points).

Amakhosi will wrap up their 2024 commitments against Chippa United at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday, 29 December.

Kick-off is at 17:45.