Polokwane City (0) 1
(Peteresen o.g. 73’)

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1
(Maboe 29’)

Betway Premiership 2026/27, Round 6 (12.9.26)
Old Peter Mokaba stadium, Polokwane

An unfortunate own goal from Brandon Petersen earned Polokwane City a 1-1 draw against a superior Kaizer Chiefs outfit in their Betway Premiership clash at the old Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Limpopo.

Lebihang Maboe had given Amakhosi a deserved 1-0 halftime lead with an outstanding piece of individual skill before misfortune befell the Chiefs skipper in the last quarter to hand the hosts a share of the spoils.

The opening exchanges would have been more pleasing to the respective coaches than they were to the fans packed into the stands as both teams’ positional organisation and discipline effectively thwarted any attacking intention from both teams. The murmurs of frustration could be heard every time the ball was passed backwards in an attempt to recycle the ball into more favourable areas.

Mfundo Vilakazi had Chiefs’ first attempt at goal in the 15^th minute when he manoeuvred into some space on the edge of the box but his shot lacked the power to beat Oscarine Masuluke in the Rise and Shine goal.

At the other end, Amakhosi had Petersen to thank for keeping his goal intact with two outstanding point-blank range saves in quick succession, first from a powerful, towering header by Ndamulelo Maphangula and moments later from another header, this time from Keoropetse Sekone, that bounced awkwardly in front of him.

Vilakazi continued to be Amakhosi’s main threat, and forced a diving save from Masuluke in the 27^th minute from a shot with his “weaker” right foot.

The value of Petersen’s saves was further emphasised when Chiefs took the lead two minutes later through Maboe, who made an excellent late run into the box before brilliantly controlling Pule Mmodi’s incisive pass over the defence with a sensational first touch and slotting the ball home with an equally composed finish past Masuluke.

The hosts tried to respond although they found Chiefs in no mood to surrender their well-earned lead and Bradley Cross almost doubled the advantage in the 42^nd minute with a header from Reeve Frosler’s corner that needed a save from Masuluke to deny him a goal on his return to the side after injury.

Still, Chiefs went into the halftime break with a 1-0 lead, which was just reward for their positive endeavours.

Etiosa Ighodaro came close to opening his league account for Chiefs five minutes after the restart but for another sprawling Masuluke save to keep his shot out.

With the clock ticking down, Polokwane City committed more men forward but Amakhosi stood resolute in repelling them with brave, timely blocks from in and around the edge of their penalty area to protect Petersen from danger.

Despite dealing relatively comfortably with City’s offensive intentions in open play, Amakhosi contrived to concede and equaliser from a set piece in the 73^rd minute when Petersen somehow squeezed Giovanni Philander’s corner into his own net at his near post.

Coach Fernando da Cruz sent on Luke Baartman and then Faiz Abrahams in an effort to freshen up the attack and the former almost set up another substitute Adolf Mtasingwa, whose close-range header was blocked virtually on the goal line. Abrahams was not far off with a shot in the 88^th minute as Amakhosi went all out for a late winner, however Polokwane managed to see their way through to the final whistle to claim an unlikely point.

The result sees Amakhosi occupy fourth place in the Betway Premiership standings, with 12 points from their six fixtures to date, maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.

They will want to take all three points from their next assignment when they travel to Durban to face Lamontville Golden Arrows next Sunday, 20 September.

Line-ups

Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen © (1), Miguel (84) (Kwinika (4) 67’), Moloisane (42), Frosler (39) (Solomons (18) 77’), Cross (48), Mthethwa (5), Maboe (6), Ndlovu (8) (Mtasingwa (22) 67’), Mmodi (13), Vilakazi (28) (Abrahams (35) 82’), Ighodaro (50) (Baartman (11) 77’)

Subs not used: Leaner (16); Mako (29), Velebayi (17), Shabalala (7)

Coach: Fernando Da Cruz

Polokwane City: Masuluke (50), Manthosi (42), Modise (27), Nkaki © (34), Ramaja (22), Maphungule (14) (Mnguni (35) 53’), Kambala (21), Matube (46), Sebone (25) (Philander (18) 46’), Dlamini (17), Molokwane (44)

Subs not used: Ngwenya (60), Mashele (48), Mvundlela (5), Batlhabane (47), Mosotho (37), Mashinini (16), Malatsi (28) 

Coach: Bayano Machete Moloto