Kaizer Chiefs were held to a 1-1 draw by the Black Leopards in an Absa Premiership match at the Loftus Stadium on Saturday night.
This was Chiefs’ ninth draw from 15 league games and the Soweto giants are now 10th on the log while Leopards are in 15th place with 14 points.
Although Chiefs scored first through Siphiwe Tshabalala’s header in the 14th minute, Leopards had a glut of chances. Yet they only managed to equalise through
Robert Ngambi in the 72nd minute despite having the bulk of possession.
Leopards dominated the hosts but frivolous shots at goal by Fisher Kondowe cost them victory. Lebo Kekana and Jabu Maluleke coasted in midfield against Thabo Mooki and company and forced stand-in coach Fani Madida to replace the ageing playmaker at halftime.
David Obua joined Tinashe Nengomashe in midfield but little changed as they constantly chased Maluleke on the lush turf. The Chiefs fans loathed Obua’s touches as he tried to slow the game down. His plan went awry, however, as Chiefs hardly got a sniff at the goal.
Thorough passing and running of the ball by the energetic Leopards led to their goal as Chiefs players watched and looked on, dazed, as Ngambi stroked home from inside the six-yard box.
Kondowe had another chance to finish off Chiefs but seemed over-excited at the prospect of scoring, while Chris Netshidzevhe picked his spot but put too much power in to his effort.
Chiefs were lucky to escape with a point and Leopards were unlucky not to have scored more. – Sapa