Cape Town – Judas Mosemaedi cancelled out Lebogang Manyama’s opener as Maritzburg United held log leaders Kaizer Chiefs to a 1-1 draw in an Absa Premiership clash on Sunday.
Both goals came in the first half in what was an entertaining game played in front of a good crowd at the Harry Gwala Stadium.
The game started at a frenetic pace and Khama Billiat had the first effort on goal for Chiefs but he blasted a volley wide of the target as early as the third minute.
Amakhosi did take the lead after 20 minutes with Manyama heading into the back of the net after getting on the end of good cross from Samir Nurkovic.
The goal sparked another wave of attack from the Soweto giants with Leonardo Castro testing Maritzburg goalkeeper Richard Ofori with a rasping shot fro a tight angle.
The Team of Choice found the equaliser just after the half hour mark through a calamitous error by Chiefs veteran Willard Katsande.
Katsande completely missed his clearance from a long ball played by Ofori and allowed home striker Mosemaedi to pick the ball up and slot the ball past Daniel Akpeyi.
The hosts then had a chance to take the lead before the halftime break but Jeremy Brockie shot wide after an inviting cross from the left.
The home team came out stronger after the interval and Keagan Buchanan had a good chance but headed wide of Akpeyi’s goal.
Maritzburg then had a golden opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty in the 67th minute after Katsande fouled Buchanan in the box.
Daylon Claasen stepped up but Akpeyi produced a fine save to deny the home team as the shot-stopper tipped the spot-kick onto the post.
Dan Morgan then had an effort hit the post as the Team of Choice pressed for the winner while Claasen was looking to make a up for his penalty miss as he struck a fierce shot just wide.
In the end the teams could not be separated on the scoreboard with Kaizer Chiefs ending the year at the top of the PSL table holding a seven-point lead over their nearest challengers.
– TEAMtalk
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