Chiefs Let Lead Slip in Late Draw

In a quiet stadium and a low-profile setting, Kaizer Chiefs still managed to find some early-season drama.

Behind closed doors and with little information filtering out, what is known is this: Amakhosi led in the 77th minute, watched that advantage evaporate in the 89th, and walked away with more questions than answers as their pre-season gathers pace.

Etiosa Ighodaro, one of the forwards expected to shoulder the scoring burden this season, struck first. His 77th-minute finish gave Chiefs the advantage, a reward for a side still knitting together combinations and fitness. In a game with no crowd noise, it was the kind of moment that usually jolts a friendly into life.

The control did not last.

With the clock ticking towards full-time, Findlay Curtis stepped up and punished Chiefs. His effort, a dipping ball that dropped wickedly into the far post, beat new signing Renaldo Leaner in the 89th minute and levelled the contest. One swing of a boot, one misjudged trajectory, and the win was gone.

For Leaner, it was a harsh early lesson in Chiefs colours. For the technical team, it was a sharp reminder that late-game concentration cannot be switched on and off, even in July.

New Faces, Early Impressions

Chiefs started with Petersen in goal, the captain on the day, behind a back line of Monyane, Mako, Miguel and Msimango. Ndlovu and Maboe patrolled midfield, with Baartman and Vilakazi offering legs and industry further forward. Chislett and Silva completed a starting XI that blended familiarity with players still bedding into the system.

The second half turned into a rolling audition.

Leaner came on to take over in goal, while Pule Mmodi, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Zitha Kwinika, Asanele Velebayi, Reeve Frosler and Kabelo Nkgwesa all saw minutes. It was the kind of sweeping rotation that defines pre-season: rhythm disrupted, but the squad picture slowly coming into focus.

The late equaliser will irritate the coaches, yet the broader purpose of the outing was clear. Get legs moving. Test combinations. Give new signings and fringe players a feel of match tempo. On that front, the day still carried value.

Tougher Tests on the Horizon

There is no time to dwell. Chiefs’ pre-season now moves into a more demanding phase.

On 15 July, Amakhosi face Al Kholood, who finished 14th in the Saudi Pro League last season. It will offer a different style, a different physical challenge, and a clearer measure of where this squad stands against international opposition.

Three days later, on 18 July, the level jumps again. Elche CF await, a side that clung to LaLiga status last season by a single point, finishing 15th in Spain’s top flight. Survival specialists, hardened by a relegation scrap, will not treat it like a gentle run-out.

For Chiefs, those fixtures will tell a deeper story than a closed-door draw ever could. Can they protect a lead? Can the new signings settle quickly? And when the real pressure comes, will moments like that 89th-minute dip into the far post linger, or sharpen their edge?