Kaizer Chiefs lost a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 against Royal AM in the Premier Soccer League game played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
The Glamour Boys came into the match full of confidence after their midweek's 2-1 win over Richards Bay despite being a man less.
However, Thwihli Thwahla were not to be underrated owing to their initial record against the Soweto giants. They had won three out of their last six meetings with the Glamour Boys, losing just once and drawing the last two.
Du Preez & Duba give Amakhosi a dream start
Chiefs tactician Nasreddine Nabi did not make many changes to the team that beat the Natal Rich Boys at the same venue in the midweek assignment.
Dillan Solomons replaced the suspended Reeve Frosler while Ashley du Preez and Sibongiseni Mthethwa retained their place in the starting lineup after an impressive game on Wednesday.
Du Preez needed just five minutes to score his second goal in as many starts this season. Captain Yusuf Maart slipped the attacker who did well to slip the ball between the legs of on-rushing goalkeeper Mondle Mphoto.
The second goal came in the 13th minute; Solomons made a good run on the right before cutting the ball back to Wandile Duba who, just like Du Preez, scored against Richards Bay.
It could have been more in the first half, but Duba was denied when one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Du Preez's effort, moments later, came off the woodwork. Brandon Petersen did well in the 37th minute to pull off a fantastic save that denied Sabelo Shezi.
Maxwele & Mashiane humble Chiefs
Royal AM started the second half strongly in their bid to get a goal that would destabilize Amakhosi.
They needed six minutes to reduce the deficit; a good ball from Sedwyn George was not dealt with by the Glamour Boys defenders. It eventually found his way to Ayabulela Maxwele who spotted Brandon Petersen off his line.
The attacker's strike was too much for the custodian. It was the seventh consecutive time Chiefs have failed to keep a clean sheet in the league, which is a new club record.
It seemed Amakhosi had done the job until the 89th minute; a long ball from the back was not dealt with by Rushwin Dortley. Levy Mashiane collected it and fired it past the keeper to make it 2-2 and ensure spoils were shared.
Chiefs have 11 points now from seven games while Royal AM have eight from nine outings.
