Kaizer Chiefs' frustrating search for a victory continued as they were held to a 1-1 stalemate by a determined TS Galaxy side in a Betway Premiership encounter at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on a chilly Saturday evening in Polokwane.
Wandile Duba's predatory finish had given the ‘Glamour Boys' the lead, but Mlungisi Mbunjana's late strike ensured ‘Siyadumuza' went home with a point.
The opening whistle ignited a lively tempo, with both teams showing intent to seize an early advantage in this crucial league fixture. However, despite the energetic start, clear-cut chances remained elusive in the initial exchanges, a testament to the solid defensive structures on display.
The first genuine moment of danger arrived in the 11th minute when the lively Wandile Duba was felled just outside the penalty area, earning Chiefs a promising free-kick. Nkosingiphile Ngcobo stepped up with confidence, unleashing a powerful shot that forced an excellent save from TS Galaxy's custodian, Ira Tape. Tape was called upon again just moments later, displaying agility to deny Gaston Sirino's tricky, spinning effort.
As the first half wore on, the ‘Phefeni Glamour Boys' began to assert their authority, dictating possession and orchestrating a series of threatening attacks. Their sustained pressure nearly yielded results in the 26th minute when Duba delivered an inviting cross into the box, but Glody Lilepo, the Congolese international, squandered a golden opportunity, firing his shot wide of the target.
CHIEFS’ BREAKTHROUGH IN THE FIRST HALF
The breakthrough for Chiefs finally arrived in the 36th minute, courtesy of the impressive Wandile Duba. The goal stemmed from a costly error by Galaxy defender Letsoenyo Kganyana, who gifted possession to the lurking Gaston Sirino deep inside his own half. Sirino's subsequent shot was initially parried by Tape, but Duba reacted quickest to the rebound, tapping the ball into the unguarded net.
Trailing by a single goal, the visitors from Mpumalanga rallied in search of an equalizer before the halftime interval. However, Chiefs' defense stood firm, ensuring they maintained their slender lead heading into the break.
Chiefs could have doubled their advantage early in the second half when a defensive mix-up involving Mlungisi Mbunjana presented Gaston Sirino with a clear sight of goal. However, the Argentinean failed to capitalize on the error, his shot straying wide of the post.
Keen to inject fresh impetus into his attacking line, TS Galaxy coach Adnan Beganovic made his first substitution in the 55th minute, introducing Siphesihle Maduna in place of Mpho Mvelase. This change sparked a period of thrilling end-to-end action, with Galaxy desperately searching for a way back into the match and Chiefs looking to exploit any openings on the counter-attack.
MBUNJANA’S EQUALISER TOWARDS THE END OF THE GAME
The relentless pressure from Galaxy eventually paid dividends in the latter stages of the encounter. Following a chaotic scramble inside the Chiefs' penalty area, veteran goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma produced a smart save to prevent an own goal from Edmilson Dove. However, the rebound fell kindly for Mlungisi Mbunjana, who made no mistake in slotting the ball home, leveling the score and silencing the home crowd.
As the final whistle approached, the intensity understandably dipped as fatigue began to take its toll on both sets of players. In the end, neither side could conjure up a winning goal, and the match concluded in a 1-1 draw, leaving Kaizer Chiefs still in search of their first victory in four matches across all competitions.
