Sekhukhune United (1) 1
(Rammala 4’)

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1
(Lilepo 45+2’)

Betway Premiership
New Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane

Kaizer Chiefs were held to a 1-1 draw by Sekhukhune United, ending with 10 men after Pule Mmodi was red-carded in injury time on a frustrating Saturday afternoon at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane that leaves their chances of a top eight finish in the Betway Premiership hanging in the balance going into the final game of the season.

Ellis Rammala gave the home side an early lead before Glody Lilepo equalised in stunning fashion moments before the half-time whistle. Chiefs went all out for a winner but were unable to find the crucial goal that would have given them a deserved three points.

Chiefs got off to the worst possible start, going behind in only the third minute, as Rammala’s entry into the box seemed to be covered. However, he released an early shot through s forest of legs that caught the unsighted Brandon Petersen wrong-footed and crept inside his near post.

Amakhosi toiled hard to get back into the match, and had a few attempts at Renaldo Leaner’s goal, with last weekend’s Nedbank Cup hero, Yusuf Maart twice testing Babina Boko ‘keeper and Lilepo having a shot blocked.

It was the athletic Congolese forward, though, who levelled the scores two minutes into first-half added time. Picking up the ball inside his own half, he ran purposefully at the Sekhukhune defence before firing home a screamer from a central position at the edge of the penalty area to give Amakhosi a huge boost going into the break on equal terms rather than trailing.

The equaliser gave the visitors added belief as the second half got underway as they sought to take the lead for the first time in the match. Mmodi forced Leaner into another save on the hour mark. The breakthrough wouldn’t come despite each Chiefs player straining every sinew in an effort to grab that elusive goal. Defender, Edmilson Dove flashed a header off target in the 86^th minute, as Sekhukhune hung on desperately for a point.

Amakhosi’s frustration was borne out by a late red card for Mmodi, who was dismissed in stoppage time for violent conduct when he was deemed to have elbowed Shaune Magaila in the face as he shielded the ball from the defender.

Amakhosi currently occupy ninth place in the standings, level on points with eighth, although there is a pack of teams just below them within range of overtaking them. Everything rests on the final fixture, against Polokwane City.

Line-ups

Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen (1), Kwinika (4), McCarthy (35) (Blom (6) 86’),
Dove (2), Solomons (18), Maart © (8),Ngcobo (12) (Mthethwa (5) 68’), (Mmodi (13), Lilepo (99) (Matlou (22) 86’), Sirino (10) (Shabalala (42) 46’), Duba (36) (Du Preez (9) 69’)

Subs not used: Bvuma (44), Zwane (37), Castillo (17), Morris (40)

Coach: Nasreddine Nabi

Sekhukhune Utd: Leaner (16), Mkhize (15), Letlapa (25), Cardoso © (4), Mogaila (12), Tshibwabwa (29) (Mohamme (26) 66’), Monare (18) (Kapinga (17) 67’), Sihlali (38) (Mntambo (23) 66’), Makgalwa (7), Mncube (10) (Mokoena (31) 90+3’), Rammala (33)

Subs not used: Sangare (30), Langa (14), Tlaka (45), Ngakosso (2), Shezi (3)

Coach: Eric Tinkler