Khanyisa Mayo's brain explosion contributes to Kaizer Chiefs’ wastefulness against AmaZulu

Kaizer Chiefs 1 (1) Shabalala '32

AMAZULU 1 (1) Ngwenya  '21

The Kaizer Chiefs players stood with their hands on hips, some sprawled on the pitch at the final whistle, their frustration mirrored in the stands by faithful fans who had turned out in their numbers to cheer them to victory.

But from a match they dominated, Amakhosi had to settle for a single point after once again failing to turn pressure into goals.

Glody Lilepo fluffed a penalty that arguably should never have been awarded, while Khanyisa Mayo interfered with what should have been a Pule Modi goal, denying Chiefs the chance to go into halftime with a two-goal lead that might have rendered the contest all but over.

Having started brightly and threatened the AmaZulu goal on numerous occasions, Chiefs were stunned to fall behind through defensive indecision.

Inacio Miguel’s half-clearance was not dealt with, and persistent play by Andiswa Sithole saw him deliver a cross from inside the box on the left. Goalkeeper Brandon Petersen looked set to gather, but Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya nipped in to head home, to the shock of the visitors and the delight of Arthur Zwane and the Usuthu bench.

The goal spurred Chiefs into even greater attacking intent, and on the half-hour mark they were awarded a penalty after Usuthu captain Riaan Hanamub was adjudged to have handled in the box. Replays suggested, however, that the ball had bounced off his body before brushing his outstretched arm — the kind of handball not usually penalised.

Lilepo, who had been a constant menace, stepped up to take it, and the sizeable Amakhosi support expected the net to ripple. Instead, the Congolese forward telegraphed his effort, allowing Darren Johnson to save comfortably. The goalkeeper celebrated wildly, no doubt believing justice had been served.

His joy lasted only moments. Just two minutes later, Johnson was picking the ball out of his net after a superb instep finish from Mduduzi Shabalala on the left brought Chiefs level. With parity restored, it seemed only a matter of time before their dominance was reflected on the scoreboard.

That moment should have come on the stroke of half-time when Pule Modi’s clever finish beat Johnson and rolled goalwards. Yet, as the ball trickled towards the line, Mayo needlessly touched it over. The assistant referee’s flag went up immediately, ruling him offside at the moment Modi struck. Chiefs’ new signing looked sheepish; Modi was crestfallen.

The second half produced end-to-end action but no breakthrough, leaving both teams to settle for a share of the spoils.