Staff Reporter.
Marumo Gallants denied Kaizer Chiefs a nudge up the Premier Soccer League table with a 2-1 victory at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Gallants extended their unbeaten run in the league to five matches and rose to 11th place on the log, opening a six-point buffer to the relegation playoff zone.
Chiefs claimed the lead against the run of play in the 10th minute. Makabi Lilepo cut inside from the left flank, drove toward the penalty area and unleashed a long-range drive which found the corner of the net, via a slight deflection off defender Vusi Sibiya.
Despite going behind, the visitors continued to look the more fluid and coherent team, producing several attacks that troubled the Chiefs defence, but ultimately failed to really test goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma.
Bvuma found himself a much busier man in the latter stages before the break, and was somewhat responsible for Gallants’ equaliser in the 41st minute.
Bvuma palmed a drive from Daniel Msendami into the path of Trevor Mathiane – he directed a tame shot on target, but it still had enough pace to get by a recovering Bvuma to level the game at 1-1.
Both teams made changes at the start of the second half, with the Amakhosi sending on Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, while Phathutshedzo Nange was introduced for Bahlabane Ba Ntwa.
Chiefs were made to rue that missed opportunity, as Gallants claimed a 2-1 lead in the 70th minute. Msendami’s in-swinging free kick from the left flank travelled untouched through the penalty and found the top corner via an awkward bounce, giving Bvuma almost no chance of making a save.
Chiefs will be back in action next weekend with a league clash at home to arch rivals Orlando Pirates, in the Soweto derby, while Gallants are only scheduled to play again on May 17 when they host Chippa United.
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