CHIEFS DROP POINTS WHILE SWALLOWS BECOMES DRAW KINGS

KAIZER Chiefs woeful season continued last night following a 1-1 draw with Swallows FC in a DStv Premiership match at FNB Stadium.

Chiefs’ striker Leonardo Castro cancelled Kagiso Malinga’s opener in the first half to ensure the teams share points.

Amakhosi occupy tenth spot on the league table with 30 points from 27 matches and face the possibility of not qualifying for the MTN8 Cup. But this was Swallows 17^th draw of the season as they moved to fifth spot on 41 points from 26 matches.

Chiefs came into the match hoping to ease their woes in the domestic league having grabbed just one win in their past five matches prior to their meeting with Swallows.

Amakhosi were eager to put their shocking 2-1 defeat to Nedbank Cup champions Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila behind them in a bid to finish the season within the top eight.  They were aiming to avenge the 1-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of Swallows in the first round played in November.

Hunt made four changes to the side that lost to TTM with Bruce Bvuma getting the nod between the goal posts ahead of Nigerian international Daniel Akpeyi who was on the bench after he suffered a concussion against Bloemfontein Celtic. Chiefs also played without key defender Njabulo Blom due to suspension, but the player is eligible to play when Amakhosi face Tanzanian side Simba in the Caf Champions League quarterfinals first leg match at the same venue on Saturday.  

On the other hand, Truter relied heavily on Zaphania Mbokoma and Kagiso Malinga upfront in the absence of his top goal scorer Ruzaigh Gamildien who was still nursing an injury.

Malinga caught Chiefs defenders napping when he broke the stalemate in the eighth minutes to pounce on a terrific cross from Sifiso Hlanti on the left flank. However, their joy was short lived as Amakhosi striker Leonardo Castro levelled matters in the 14^th minutes with a great header from rebound after Happy Mashiane had hit the upright.

Swallows suffered a huge blow in the 17^th minutes when veteran defender Vuyo Mere sustained a muscle strain injury and was replaced by Thabo Matlaba.