Chiefs and Gallants fail to spark in tame draw

A 1-1 draw was perhaps a fair result between Kaizer Chiefs and Marumo Gallants in a DStv Premiership match at FNB Stadium on Saturday night.

ALSO READ: Pirates win intensifies race for Champions League spot

Both sides did well, but not enough to deserve the full points based on the way they lacked bite or hunger in this game. It looked like both were happy to just not lose.

Both Chiefs and Gallants needed the full points from this game and it is strange how they could not fight hard enough for them.

For Gallants, the three points would have moved them to 26 points, equal with Chippa United who are above them. Gallants are in 15th place after jumping over Maritzburg United.

Chippa had earlier on lost 2-0 to Pirates, a fact that Gallants would have known before taking the to the field against Chiefs.

But their display did not show that they are asSide who want to move off the relegation places. It lacked the urgency. Chiefs are also in the chase for the second spot.

They are in a fight with Pirates and SuperSport United for the spot which guarantees Caf Champions League spot next season. And win both having won, Chiefs were expected to also win.

But after scoring early, they let the game drift away from them, allowing Gallants to find their way back into the game.

Solo Run

Just five minutes in, Chiefs were in the lead. Ashley Du Preez went on an impressive solo run starting from just over the the centre line.

He sold a Gallants defender a dummy before hitting a shot with his left which beat a sprawled out Washington Arubi.

A miscommunication, however, between Edmilson Dove and Brandon Petersen gifted Rava Chavaviro the ball inside the Chiefs box in the 37th minute. The striker did well to keep in the hunt and beat Petersen for the equaliser.

Both sides had some promising chances but they could not make them count and it was still level at 1-1 going into half time.

Before Gallants equaliser, Chiefs were the more enterprising side and looked good in attack with Gallants more reserved and conservative in their approach.

Christian Saile had a golden chance in the 61st minute when he was found inside the Gallants box, but his first touch let him down. He then ballooned his effort skywards.