Kaizer Chiefs’ disappointing South African Premiership season continued on Monday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by TS Galaxy, with substitute Ranga Chivaviro scoring a last-minute equaliser.
The Johannesburg club, who have won a record 53 domestic trophies but none since 2015, hoped to turn their fortunes around when they appointed Tunisian coach Noureddine Nabi. Nabi arrived after successful stints with Young Africans in Tanzania and FAR Rabat in Morocco. However, Kaizer Chiefs have won just three of their nine league matches this season and currently sit ninth, nine points adrift of league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.
The match in Mbombela saw Chiefs fall behind in the 35th minute when Samukelo Kabini’s header gave Galaxy the lead. Chiefs mounted sustained pressure in the final stages of the game, which eventually paid off in the 96th minute.
A corner from the Chiefs was misjudged by Galaxy’s Ivorian goalkeeper Ira Tape, who failed to gather the ball cleanly. Chivaviro was quickest to react, tapping the ball over the line to secure a draw for Chiefs.
The match was played in scorching 35°C (95°F) heat, but the tempo remained high despite frequent stoppages due to injuries, including two to Tape during added time.
Galaxy, under Serbian coach Adnan Beganovic, who was promoted last month after Sead Ramovic left to coach Young Africans, moved up two places to 11th in the standings.
