Chiefs Slip Late Lead in Pre-Season Test

Behind closed doors and away from the usual roar of the stands, Kaizer Chiefs were given a sharp reminder of pre-season’s favourite lesson: switch off for a moment, and you pay.

Etiosa Ighodaro thought he had settled it. On 77 minutes, the striker struck to give Amakhosi the lead, a reward for the pressure they had built as the game wore on. It was the kind of goal coaches like in July – a forward in the right place, timing his run, finishing with purpose.

But the advantage didn’t survive the final stretch.

With the clock ticking into the 89th minute, Findlay Curtis stepped up and punished Chiefs’ lapse. His effort dipped wickedly, dropping beyond new signing Renaldo Leaner and sneaking inside the far post. For Leaner, introduced in the second half, it was a harsh way to mark one of his first involvements in Chiefs colours: beaten by the sort of awkward, looping ball that keeps goalkeepers awake at night.

The late equaliser undercut what had been a useful workout for a reshaped Chiefs side. Captain Brandon Petersen started in goal, leading a XI that featured Monyane, Mako, Miguel, Msimango and Ndlovu across the defensive and midfield spine, with Maboe, Baartman, Vilakazi, Chislett and Silva offering the attacking thrust.

Second Half

The second half turned into a rolling showcase of new and returning faces. Leaner came on in goal, while Pule Mmodi, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Zitha Kwinika, Asanele Velebayi, Reeve Frosler and Kabelo Nkgwesa all got minutes as the technical team shuffled the pack. The result may have slipped away, but the objective was clear: get legs moving, test combinations, sharpen reactions.

The pressure finally told when Ighodaro broke the deadlock. The failure to close it out will irritate the coaches, yet it also underlines exactly where the work lies in the coming weeks – game management, concentration, and the ability to kill off contests when the opportunity arises.

There will be no gentle easing into the new campaign. On 15 July, Chiefs face Al Kholood, who finished 14th in the Saudi Pro League last season, a side accustomed to fighting for every point. Three days later, Elche CF await, fresh from surviving in LaLiga by a single point.

Two more tests, two more chances to turn these flickers of promise into something more convincing before the real scrutiny begins.