Menzi Magubane
Kaizer Chiefs continue to charitably donate points to relegation strugglers.
On Tuesday afternoon, Amakhosi lost 2-1 to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in the DStv Premiership at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
A fortnight ago, they lost by a single goal to Chippa United, who were then second from bottom of the league table.
Before Tuesday’s game Tshakhuma were also in the same position and the win saw them move up a spot to 14th place.
Tshakhuma were in desperate need of maximum points to avoid relegation, and they showed that urgency by taking the lead just three minutes before the half-time whistle.
Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Thabo Rakhale gave the home team the all-important lead. But before Rakhale’s goal, Chiefs were reduced to 10 men when midfielder Njabulo Blom was sent off.
Blom only lasted 38 minutes on the pitch before being shown a second yellow card of the match. The sending off visibly fired up the home team and they eventually found their opener before the break.
Gavin Hunt was forced to use a fringe backline in the absence of regulars Daniel Cardoso and Eric “Tower” Mathoho, due to suspension and injury respectively.
In the second half, Amakhosi took the match to Tshakhuma, a game plan which they were rewarded for in the 65th minute. Samir Nurkovic drew a foul from Ayanda Nkili inside the box and the referee blew his whistle for a penalty.
Lebohang Manyama took the spot-kick but it was saved by keeper Washington Arubi. Fortunately for Manyama, the ball was parried back into his path and he managed to score the rebound and level-up for the visitors.
In the dying seconds of the game, Chiefs defender Siyabonga Ngezana gave away a dramatic penalty after handling the ball in the 96th minute. Thabo Mnyamane converted the spot-kick to hand Tshakhuma a famous victory.
The defeat has left Chiefs in serious danger of missing out on a top eight finish with four games left of the season. They remain in ninth place but they could drop to 11th after Wednesday’s matches.
Picture source: @OfficialCSA
