Maritzburg United 1-1 Kaizer Chiefs: Amakhosi extend winless run to six matches in PSL
The Soweto giants looked destined to record their seventh defeat of the season in the league until Manyama grabbed a late goal
Kaizer Chiefs extended their winless run to six matches in the PSL after drawing 1-1 with Maritzburg United at Harry Gwala Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Thabiso Kutumela put the Team of Choice in the lead with an early goal, but Lebogang Manyama snatched a late equalizing goal for Amakhosi.
The Team of Choice were hoping to continue their revival in the league as they were undefeated in their last two matches having recorded a draw and a victory.
Kutumela led the attack for coach Ernst Middendorp's side, while Judas Moseamedi, whose brace inspired Maritzburg to a 2-0 win over Chiefs two months ago, was named among the substitutes.
On the other hand, Amakhosi were brimming with confidence after snapping their eight-match winless run across all competitions by securing a 2-0 win over Angola's Petro de Luanda in the Caf Champions League on March 6.
Coach Gavin Hunt unsurprisingly named an unchanged team with Manyama and Bernard Parker starting upfront and Willard Katsande partnering with Nkosingiphile Ngcobo in central midfield.
Kutumela tormented Chiefs from the first whistle as the former Orlando Pirates striker's header narrowly missed the target before he placed his low shot inches wide of the upright.
However, Kutumela did get the goal that he had been looking for when he tapped the ball home to make it 1-0 to Maritzburg in the 15th minute with Jose Ali Meza providing the assist.
The Amakhosi defence was struggling to cope with the speed of the Team of Choice's attackers and an unmarked Bongukuhle Hlongwane missed the target with a header and Akpeyi made a smart save to deny Ryan Rae.
Chiefs had a rare chance on the stroke of half-time and Katsande's header was easily saved by goalkeeper Marcel Engelhardt to ensure the first-half ended with Maritzburg leading 1-0.
Siyabonga Ngezana, Samir Nurkovic and Njabulo Blom were all introduced by Hunt prior to the start of the second half as the Soweto giants looked to level matters.
Amakhosi played long balls and set-pieces in the box and Erick Mathoho's headed effort went just over the crossbar with German shot-stopper Engelhardt rooted to the ground.
With his side being bombarded with long balls, Middendorp introduced Moseamedi, who nearly made an immediate impact as his shot hit the crossbar with Akpeyi well-beaten.
Chiefs continued to play crosses into the Maritzburg box and the move paid off as Manyama headed home in the 88th minute to ensure that the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
The result saw relegation-threatened Maritzburg remain 15th on the league standings while struggling Chiefs also remained 11th on the log.
Maritzburg's next game is against TS Galaxy in a PSL game in Mpumalanga on March 20, while Chiefs will be away to Petro de Luanda in the Champions League on March 16.