Chiefs Let Lead Slip in Friendly Against Al Kholood
Behind closed doors and away from the usual roar of their supporters, Kaizer Chiefs were given a quiet but sharp reminder of pre-season’s favourite lesson: switch off once, and you pay.
Etiosa Ighodaro looked to have settled it. On 77 minutes, the striker found the breakthrough, nudging Amakhosi into the lead and briefly lighting up what had been a largely controlled outing for the Soweto giants. In a match with little information filtering out, that goal stood out as the clearest sign that Chiefs’ attacking structure was beginning to take shape.
The control didn’t last.
As the clock ticked towards full-time, Chiefs lost their grip. In the 89th minute, Findlay Curtis punished a lapse, sending a dipping effort over new signing Renaldo Leaner and into the far corner. One moment of quality, one moment of hesitation, and the game was level.
Leaner had come on as part of a sweeping set of second-half changes as the technical team used the friendly to test depth and combinations. The starting XI carried a familiar spine: Petersen, wearing the armband, behind a back line of Monyane, Mako, Miguel, Msimango and Ndlovu. Maboe, Baartman and Vilakazi worked the middle, with Chislett and Silva adding craft and movement further forward.
Then came the rotation. Leaner, Pule Mmodi, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Zitha Kwinika, Asanele Velebayi, Reeve Frosler and Kabelo Nkgwesa all saw minutes after the break, each staking an early claim for relevance in a long season ahead. The late equaliser will sting, but the coaching staff will have gained far more from the run-outs than from the result.
Upcoming Matches
Pre-season, though, is about building towards sterner examinations, and those are coming fast. On 15 July, Chiefs face Al Kholood, who finished 14th in the Saudi Pro League last season. Three days later, they meet Elche CF, 15th in LaLiga and safe by just a single point.
Two tests, two different styles, and very little margin for the kind of late lapse that turned a quiet friendly into a missed opportunity.
