KAIZER CHIEFS (1)
Shabalala 70’
STELLENBOSCH (1)
Kwayiba 48’
Kaizer Chiefs continued to show why they remain far off Mamelodi Sundowns' level, despite coach Fernando da Cruz suggesting their main shortcoming might be struggling to maintain consistency and intensity throughout the season.
As Mamelodi Sundowns hammered Richards Bay 4–1 in Durban – continuing their local dominance after beating Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final – Chiefs struggled to get past Stellenbosch at FNB Stadium in a simultaneous kickoff.
Granted, Chiefs maintained their unbeaten start to the Betway Premiership alongside Sundowns, but they are struggling to convert performances into vital wins. Amakhosi sit fourth on the log with 14 points after three wins and five draws, trailing log leaders Sundowns, who sit on 22 points after seven wins and a draw.
This result at the Calabash will feel like a loss for Chiefs, as a victory would have served as an early birthday gift for chairman and founder Kaizer Motaung ahead of his special day on October 16.
When Da Cruz admitted uncertainty over whether Chiefs could match Sundowns' intensity across the entire season, it may have sounded like a lack of faith in his squad. But if this match was anything to go by, Chiefs are indeed not at Sundowns’ level – in fact, they remain far from it.
They not only failed to beat Stellenbosch at home, but they also lacked fluidity. Perhaps that was to be expected given that Da Cruz fielded four full-backs, forcing Paseka Mako and Reeve Frosler to play as a wing-back and central midfielder, respectively.
While Da Cruz could argue those adjustments were forced by injuries to regulars Lebohang Maboe and Siphesihle Ndlovu, the selection exposed a lack of trust in Ethan Chislett, Luke Baartman, and Asanele Velebayi, who were all left on the bench.
Deploying players in makeshift positions appeared to unsettle Chiefs early on. Sinoxolo Kwayiba posed a constant threat, seemingly inspired by playing alongside four former Chiefs players – Ashley Du Preez, Given Msimango, George Matlou, and Njabulo Blom – who were all eager to haunt their former club.
Kwayiba came close to opening the scoring in the first half, but he, his teammates, and coach Gavin Hunt could only watch in disbelief as his close-range effort struck the upright before being cleared.
Having survived that scare, Chiefs nearly responded emphatically. Wandile Duba beat the offside trap and went one-on-one with Sage Stephens, but the goalkeeper closed the angle well to parry the striker's shot wide for a corner.
Kwayiba would not be denied early in the second half. Opening his body up inside the box, he smashed Terrence Mashego’s pass over the defense into the roof of the net.
Chiefs fans grew frustrated by the team's lack of urgency, making substitution gestures toward the bench. The longer the technical team waited to make changes, the louder the frustration grew.
Mduduzi Shabalala eventually brought relief to the home crowd. Frosler launched a well-weighted pass into the attacker’s path, allowing Shabalala to surge forward, turn inside, and slot a precise finish past a flat-footed Stephens at the near post.
Da Cruz then made changes, bringing on Flávio Silva and Ethan Chislett for Shabalala and Duba. However, those substitutions drew further jeers from the disgruntled home supporters. Their frustration lingered long into the night, particularly after referee Sikhumbuzo Gasa overturned an initial penalty decision following consultation with his assistant.
In the end, Chiefs settled for another draw, demonstrating once again that they remain a step behind a Sundowns side continuing to dominate South African football across all fronts.