SOWETO DERBY ENDS ON A DRAW

By: Nhlanhla Ndlovu
It took five minutes for Kaizer Chiefs to equalize in their second game of the ABSA Premier Soccer League against Moroka Swallows at the FNB stadium on Tuesday evening.
Lerato Chabangu and Bernard Parker made sure that they got their names on the score board in the second half of the game.
The two sides met after collecting all three points in their opening league fixtures.
Amakhosi have a good record in fixtures between the teams, recording 30 wins compared to 11 for the Birds.
Both side created chances trying to hit the target first but the first real opportunity came in the third minute through Luvhengo Mungomeni as he connected with the ball but it went straight to Itumeleng Khune.
The first half ended on a stalemate.
In the second half both sides showed hunger for the three points as six minutes into the second half, Siyabonga Nomvete had the first chance on goal.
But his curled shot went wide off target.
Then Swallows scored against the run of play, a delightful cross by Dikgang Mabalane found Chabangu who buried his shot with a first time volley in the 55th minute.
But within four minutes Chiefs were levelled. At first it looked as a controversial penalty decision, when a referee awarded the spot kick for Asavela Mbekile’s foul on Knowledge Musona.
Parker stepped up and placed his penalty straight down the middle in the hour mark to give Chiefs a relief from Swallows attack.
After the score was one all, Khune became the busiest shot stopper denying the Dube Birds the lead.
In the last 20 minutes of the match, it was Chabangu and Khune’s show as the Swallows midfielder was dominating the team’s attack.
Khune, who was named Man of the Match following a string of fine saves against Chabangu in particular, believes they should not drop points as they are in a campaign to retain the title.
“It was a tough game, but I’m not happy with the way we started the first half,” said Khune after the game on the Supersport channel.
“We did exactly what we did against Pirates [in the MTN8 over the weekend]. We started very low and in the second half we put it in sixth gear. It is not good to draw games at home. We have to be winning every home game, but better luck next time,” Khune added.
Swallows will face Mpumalanga Black Aces on Friday while Chiefs faces Supersport United on Saturday in their next respective tasks of the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
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