TS Galaxy lived up to their tag as Kaizer Chiefs’ bogey team when they extended their unbeaten run against them to eight matches, having come close to winning, before Ranga Chivaviro’s late goal secured a 1-1 draw on Monday.
Chiefs, decimated by injuries, were looking to bounce back to winning ways after their 2-0 defeat to Polokwane City, but paid the price for their poor first half display when Samukelo Kabini gave the home side the lead after 35 minutes at the Mbombela Stadium, before a late show saw them snatch a point.
The left-back headed home from the back post after Chiefs failed to defend well a corner, having reacted first to a high ball in the box, to get a free header with three Galaxy players unmarked.
The goal came after Chiefs missed a glorious opportunity to take the lead when Ashley Du Preez found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but fired inches wide.
Chiefs’ subs improved the game
Having cleverly escpaed from his marker, Du Preez received a defence splitting ball from Mduduzi Shabalala but with only the goalkeeper to beat, he watched as his attempt went out in what will be a contender for the miss of the season.
That is how the first half ended and coach Nasreddine Nabi reacted by making three changes to his side at halftime, bringing in Tebogo Potsane, Chivaviro and Mfundo Vilakazi as Wandile Duba, Njabulo Blom and Du Preez went out.
It saw Chiefs improve their tempo with Potsane lively on the left wing while Vilakazi made great runs on the right.
Amakhosi had two good chances, one falling to Potsane and another one to Vilakazi, but they could not beat the Galaxy defence as the Rockets opted to throw all players behind the ball to protect their lead.
How did Amakhosi get level?
However, deep into injury time, and with Galaxy close to securing a win that would have seen them move to ninth on the table, Chiefs rescued a point from the jaws of defeat.
From a corner, Galaxy were unable to deal with the ball which fell to Chivaviro and the striker poked it home for 1-1, just before the final whistle.
It is now three games without a win for Chiefs but Nabi will be happy with the reaction of his players going forward.
