Kaizer Chiefs held to frustrating 1-1 draw by Marumo Gallants in PSL clash

Kaizer Chiefs’ quest for the top of the table stuttered to a halt at FNB Stadium as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a resilient Marumo Gallants, extending Amakhosi’s winless run to four games. In a match that showcased early promise but descended into missed opportunities, Chiefs’ new signing Khanyisa Mayo marked his debut with a goal, only for Jaisen Clifford’s stunning late equalizer to snatch a point for the visitors. The result leaves Chiefs languishing in 13th place with just three points from five outings, while Gallants climb to ninth, buoyed by their second draw of the campaign.

The game kicked off with Chiefs asserting dominance, claiming 56% possession in the first half and peppering Gallants’ goal with early threats. As early as the fourth minute, Chiefs earned a corner, and by the 16th, Siboniso Ndlovu’s shot forced a sharp save from goalkeeper Washington Arubi. Momentum built inexorably toward the 40th minute when Mayo, the 28-year-old striker fresh from a R10 million move from Cape Town City, slotted home a tidy finish from close range after a well-worked team move, sending the home crowd into raptures. However, joy turned to tension just before the break when Chiefs were awarded a penalty after Ashley Du Preez was upended in the box; Gaston Sirino’s tame effort was parried away by Arubi, leaving Amakhosi to go into halftime with a slender lead.

The second half saw Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi, watching from the stands due to a touchline ban, urging more urgency from afar as his side struggled to convert chances. Sirino, who had a forgettable night, was hooked on the 59th minute for Mduduzi Shabalala, while Mayo continued to menace, drawing fouls and creating openings. Gallants, however, grew into the contest, with Thabo Msendami and Lesego Mabotja testing Bruce Bvuma’s resolve. The equalizer arrived in the 75th minute, a thunderous strike from Clifford curling into the top-right corner from the left wing after a precise cross from Thabo Motloung, epitomizing Gallants’ counter-attacking threat. Chiefs pushed late, with substitutes like Nkosingiphile Ngcobo injecting energy, but Cele’s 90+3′ effort sailed wide, sealing a point apiece in a game that finished with Chiefs holding 56% possession, 12 shots to Gallants’ eight, and five corners each.

Standout performances lit up an otherwise scrappy affair: Mayo’s debut strike and tireless running earned him man-of-the-match honors, while Clifford’s goal – his third of the season – underscored his growing influence for Gallants. Arubi’s penalty heroics and three crucial saves kept his side in the hunt, but Chiefs’ midfield duo of Nkosingiphile Mthethwa and Ndlovu drew criticism for lacking creativity, with Ndlovu picking up a yellow card for a rash challenge in the 22nd minute. No reds were shown, though the game saw brief stoppages for injuries to Chiefs’ Bradley Cross and Gallants’ defender Mfundo Mokoena, highlighting the physical toll of PSL battles.

Post-match, Nabi lamented his side’s profligacy, telling reporters, “We created enough to win two games, but the penalty miss and lack of killer instinct cost us – the absence from the bench hurts, but we must learn fast.” Gallants coach Dylan Kerr praised his team’s resilience: “Clifford’s magic turned the tide; this point at FNB is huge for our survival push.” With Chiefs facing Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby next, the pressure mounts on Nabi, whose job security hangs by a thread amid fan unrest. For Gallants, the draw injects momentum ahead of their Carling Knockout opener, as both clubs navigate a season of transition and turmoil