Kaizer Chiefs were lucky to get a point after their one-all draw with Dynamos in their otherwise ding-dong Castle Premiership match at FNB Stadium on Wednesday night.
Amakhosi, who were the hot favourites to overwhelm the dark horses from Limpopo — as they have done so in their previous seven encounters since 1985 — were a shadow of the mean club who whipped Bloemfontein Celtic 4-1 in a league match at the same venue over the weekend.
In fact, Chiefs’ chances of defending their Premier Soccer League title took a slight nose dive. They remain fourth with 25 points after 13 matches. Their slight advantage could be that they are three matches behind most of the clubs.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroka Swallows are placed second and third with 29 and 25 points respectively, while the high-flying Orlando Pirates lead the pack with 36 points.
Dynamos are perched in 10th position.
The Dynamites worked liked slaves with their rearguard playing their hearts out, making it impossible for Chiefs’ danger men David Radebe and Collins Mbesuma to do what comes naturally.
Chiefs missed several chances to taking the lead from as early as the second and 16th minutes. They almost conceded a goal two minutes later but Rowan Fernandez was equal to Innocent Mahlambi’s task.
Radebe, who banged in two goals against Celtic, was easily thwarted by goalkeeper Arthur Bartman in the 22nd minute. The striker’s bicycle kick went wide in the 38th minute.
Dynamos’ first serious attempt at the goals came in the 46th minute but Martin Carelse’s shot lacked firepower to trouble Fernandez.
From that moment, Dynamos began playing with purpose and forced Chiefs to back-pedal from the pressure. Their goal from Ndlovu was the result of their determination and hard work.
But Chiefs, who boasted seven wins against a defeat from Dynamos before the game on Wednesday night, never gave up the fight.
Coach Ted Dumitru rested Emmanuel Ngobese and brought on Songwe Chalwe in the 73rd minute to partner Mbesuma in the front.
Mbesuma, who had a quiet game, fed Arthur Zwane a through pass and the winger equalised in the 87th minute — much to the relief of traumatised Chiefs fans.
Dynamos almost reclaimed their lead on the stroke of full-time. Ndlovu’s grass-cutter was blocked by Fernandez. — Sapa