CHIEFS IN A RUT
SHOCK: TSHAKHUMA CLIMB OUT OF THE RELEGATION ZONE Amakhosi fall deeper into trouble as red card sees them drop more points.
Alast-minute penalty saved Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila’s blushes after they almost let a 10-men Kaizer Chiefs steal a point in their DStv Premiership match at Peter Mokaba Stadium yesterday evening.
Having taken the lead immediately after Amakhosi were reduced to 10 men, Tshakhuma failed to keep the momentum and allowed the Naturena side an equaliser and a potential share of the spoils.
The home side, however, managed to get a win through a last minute penalty, and the 2-1 win saw them jump to 14th place, pushing their Nedbank Cup final opponent, Chippa United, into the relegation play-off spot.
The game started at a hurried pace with each side looking for an early goal to upset and unsettle the other. But neither could create any clear scoring chances.
Chiefs tried to play patient build-ups but still couldn’t find the right balls up front to trouble Washington Arubi in the TTM goal.
Njabulo Blom was sent off after receiving his second booking for reckless play in the 39th minute, conceding a free kick in a dangerous area in the process.
From the resultant free kick, Thabo Mnyamane was very unlucky to see his effort hit the crossbar with Bruce Bvuma, making his first start of the season in the Chiefs goal, completely beaten.
Two minutes later, Tshakhuma took the lead.
Mnyamane expertly found Thabo Rakhale inside the Amakhosi box, he chested down and sent a rocket past Bvuma.
Chiefs came close to the equaliser in the 51st minute, with Samir Nurkovic’s effort from a corner, but Arubi managed to fist the ball over.
TTM had a glorious chance in the 54th minute as after some neat inter-passing resulted in the ball ending in front of Celimpilo Ngema, but he sliced his shot across goal with Bvuma at his mercy.
Ngema was again sent through on goal four minutes later, but he shot wide with only the keeper to beat.
Chiefs appealed for a penalty as Nurkovic was brought down inside the box and initially referee Victor Hlungwani felt there was no contact.
However, after consulting with the fourth official, he changed his mind and gave the spot kick.
Arubi saved Lebogang Manyama’s initial shot, the ball spilled kindly for Manyama and he slid it under the keeper to equalise for Amakhosi.
There was a nervy moment for Amakhosi with just over 10 minutes to go when Bvuma got injured.
He had started the game in the absence of both Itumeleng Khune and Daniel Akpeyi, who were injured.
Bvuma was, however, able to continue after receiving some medical attention.
Tshakhuma were finally awarded a penalty when Siyabonga Ngezana handled the ball inside the box, and Mnyamana slotted in from the spot.