Johannesburg – Kaizer Chiefs tried to bounce back from their demoralising loss in the MTN8 final but were ultimately not good enough as they drew 1-1 with a battling University of Pretoria in an Absa Premiership match at the FNB stadium on Wednesday night. Goals from Bernard Parker for Chiefs and Tebogo Monyai for Tuks saw the points shared as the home team, who led at half-time, seemed to slacken off and allowed their opponents back into the match.
After a cagey start Chiefs had a good chance to take the lead but Reneilwe Letsholonyane sliced his shot wide of the goal after getting a great pass from Willard Katsande.
Camaldene Abraw also had a chance minutes later but in a replica of the earlier chance, blasted wide.
But the pressure told in the 26th minute when a costly mistake from Khaya Gwala in the Tuks defence who was forced into a misplaced header, saw the ball go to Siphiwe Tshabalala.
He drove down the right flank, weaved his way inside and his pass across goal was met by Parker who rifled a shot into a gaping net with Tuks goalkeeper Washington Arubi stranded.
With Chiefs with a one goal advantage at half-time they seemed to relax in the early stages after the interval, content to allow Tuks to try and put their passes together.
Tuks had their best chance in the 65th minute when Getaneh Gibeto was set loose but his shot was well saved by Chiefs keeper Reyaad Pieterse who dived forward to thwart the threat.
But Tuks got the equaliser in the 71st minute when after a corner which was cleared, the ball was played back into the penalty area and after bobbing around captain Monyai pounced with a shot that went into the goal via the left hand goalpost.
This seem to spur Tuks who found new confidence as they searched for the winning goal. Chances fell to both sides but eventually they both had to settle for a point each. - ANA