Kaizer Chiefs chances of getting an MTN8 spot hang in a balance after a 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon against Sekhukhune United in the Premier Soccer League game staged at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
The Glamour Boys came into the match full of confidence after winning the Nedbank Cup last weekend, but Babina Noko were determined to get a positive outcome.
Defensive lapses cost Chiefs
Amakhosi were keen on getting an early goal to stand a chance of securing maximum points against a formidable opponent.
However, they were undone just four minutes into the game. Vusimuzi Mncube managed to find Ngoanamello Rammala who was given acres of space in the danger zone, making it easy for him to beat Brandon Petersen in goal.
Maart had a chance to equalise in the 16th minute when Dillan Solomons played in a beautiful cross to his captain whose effort was parried by the goalkeeper for unfruitful corner.
Petersen had to be at his best in the 30th minute to keep out Keletso Makgalwa's stinging effort after being allowed to access a dangerous area.
When it looked like Babina Noko will go to the break with a slim lead, Glody Lilepo's individual brilliance saved Amakhosi. The towering attacker cut in from the left, after being fed by Maart, before curling a low-effort past a full-stretched Renaldo Leaner to make it 1-1.
The second dance
Chiefs looked determined to get their second goal, but they received as much as they gave from their hosts.
In the 55th minute, Wandile Duba was allowed too much space on the right, but the goalkeeper did well to read his moves before pushing his cross-come shot to safety much to the relief of defenders.
Petersen was almost punished by Makgalwa in the 60th minute when he gave away the ball cheaply, but he recovered on time to make a decent save to bail himself out.
Mncube could have gotten into the score sheet in the 64th minute when he beat the Glamour Boys defenders to set himself up with Petersen, but he shot agonizingly wide.
Amakhosi were then reduced to 10 men in the 90th minute after Pule Mmodi was sent off for elbowing Shaune Mogaile, but time had already gone.
Chiefs are still ninth on the table with 31 points, meaning they can still get into the top eight with a win over Polokwane City, depending on the results posted by their rivals.
