Chiefs now look like also-rans

● Kaizer Chiefs all but confirmed themselves as also-rans in the Absa Premiership title race after this draw yesterday.

With the way Cape Town City and SuperSport United are pushing at the top, even a top three or four for Chiefs is a stretch.

Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp returned to a 3-5-2 formation that has served him well. Kgotso Moleko, Cardoso and Teenage Hadebe were the centrebacks, and Emmanuel Ntiya-Ntiya and Philani Zulu the wingbacks.

George Maluleka, Siphelele Ntshangase and Hendrick Ekstein were the three in midfield, and Khama Billiat and Bernard Parker the strikers.

Josef Vukusic’s City are one of the tougher teams to beat in the PSL. They have lost just three times in 10 league games.

Chiefs had to work hard against hardrunning Polokwane. Amakhosi managed that fairly well. Had it not been for Daniel Akpeyi’s goalkeeping howler they would have had a lead at the break.

Chiefs took the lead with a penalty by Cardoso after Ekstein’s cross struck centreback Nicolas Motloung’s arm.

Polokwane’s equaliser came out of nowhere. From a pedestrian build-up, winger Walter Musona attempted a dipping shot that bounced in under the body of Akpeyi.

Middendorp introduced Dumisani Zuma for Ekstein from the break, then later, in what seemed an overly defensive change, Ramahlwe Mphahlele for Zulu.

Chiefs dominated in possession but struggled to break through dogged defending. Their best chance was stopped by George Chigova at full stretch.