Chiefs Concede Late Equalizer in Pre-Season Match
Behind closed doors and away from the usual roar of the Amakhosi faithful, Kaizer Chiefs’ latest pre-season outing delivered the familiar sting of a late concession.
With little information emerging from the match, one moment stands out clearly: in the 77th minute, Etiosa Ighodaro did what strikers are paid to do. He found the breakthrough, edging Chiefs in front and offering a glimpse of the cutting edge the club hopes to sharpen before the new campaign.
The advantage did not survive the final surge.
As the clock ticked towards full time, Chiefs lost their grip. In the 89th minute, Findlay Curtis punished them, beating new signing Renaldo Leaner with a dipping effort that dropped into the far corner. One swing of a boot, one misjudged ball, and a winning position dissolved into a 1–1 draw.
Leaner was one of several fresh faces given minutes as the technical team shuffled the pack after the break. The match began with Petersen wearing the armband in goal, shielded by a back line of Monyane, Mako, Miguel, Msimango and Ndlovu. In midfield and attack, Maboe, Baartman, Vilakazi, Chislett and Silva formed the core of the starting XI, a blend of structure and experimentation that hinted at early tactical ideas.
Second Half
The second half opened the door for rotation. Leaner stepped in between the posts, while Pule Mmodi, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Zitha Kwinika, Asanele Velebayi, Reeve Frosler and Kabelo Nkgwesa all got a run. For a pre-season fixture, that is the real currency: minutes in the legs, combinations tested, new partnerships stressed under match conditions.
The late equaliser will irritate the coaches. It should. Game management in the final minutes has haunted Chiefs too often in recent seasons, and even in a friendly, old habits are hard to ignore.
There is no time to dwell.
Amakhosi are back in action on 15 July against Al Kholood, who finished 14th in last season’s Saudi Pro League, a different kind of examination against a side used to a more physical, direct tempo. Three days later, on 18 July, they meet Elche CF, 15th in LaLiga last term and survivors by the slimmest of margins.
Two contrasting opponents. Two more chances to turn late frustration into the kind of resilience that decides tight matches when the real business begins.
