By Michael Madyira
Mduduzi Shabalala struck twice to save Kaizer Chiefs from a third straight Premier Soccer League defeat in the 2-2 draw with Magesi FC at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday.
It was a four-goal thriller which saw Shabalala grabbing a brace within two minutes in the second half to cancel Magesi’s goals by John Mokone and Edmore Chirambadare in either half.
Magesi looked on course to slay another Soweto giant following their Carling Knockout elimination of Orlando Pirates.
But Shabalala earned Chiefs a point although they remain winless in three league matches to settle one rung up to position eight.
The result left Magesi also climbing one place to 11th position.
Before Amakhosi had settled into the match, Wonderboy Makhubu jumped highest between Rushwin Dortley and Bradley Cross to head home a Mokone cross to claim the lead for the home side.
Chirambadare then scored from a freekick to trigger some response from the Soweto giants.
Due to some relentless pressure on their hosts, Chiefs were always coming back with Shabalala first turning in a Gaston Sirino feed before finishing after Du Preez had initially hit the post.
At Loftus Versfeld, Mamelodi Sundowns perfectly responded to last weekend’s 3-0 defeat to Polokwane City by beating visiting Cape Town City.
It was an evening of braces as Peter Shalulile grabbed a double while Lucas Ribeiro Costa’s goal was sandwiched between the Namibia international’s efforts.
The result for second-placed Sundowns saw them closing the gap between them and log leaders Orlando Pirates to three points.
It paid off for Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi, who decided to go for the kill by starting a three-pronged attack of Shalulile, Ribeiro Costa and Iqraam Rayners.
City dropped two places to number 13 on the standings following the defeat.
Elsewhere, Polokwane City rose to third spot after beating ninth-placed Royal AM 1-0 away at Harry Gwala Stadium with Bonginkosi Dlamini on target with 14 minutes remaining.
Meanwhile, Golden Arrows were held 0-0 by SuperSport United at Mpumalanga Stadium.
Matsatsantsa are now in seventh spot just above Chiefs, while Arrows are 10th.
Pictured above: Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala executes a shot while Magesi FC’s Delano Abrahams tries to block
Source: Kaizer Chiefs
