Chiefs and Birds in derby stalemate

EMBATTLED Kaizer Chiefs were back in the trenches at FNB Stadium last night as they managed to keep their slender top eight hopes alive with a 1-all stalemate against Swallows FC.

The outcome of this Soweto derby saw Amakhosi remain in 10th place as Swallows stayed fifth.

Swallows were the first to draw blood after a freakish goal by striker Kagiso Malinga, who enjoyed a rare slot in the run-on XI after battling injury this season.

Left-back Sifiso Hlanti booted the ball into Chiefs’ goalmouth from 30 metres out and Malinga deflected the ball from under the noses of two hesitant opposition defenders past Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma in the eighth minute.

The riposte by Chiefs came seven minutes later after a fine build-up. Midfielder Willard Katsande outjumped the Swallows rearguard, and his header was held out by the upright. Chiefs’ Colombian goalmouth predator Leonardo Castro pounced on the rebound to score.

Just ahead of the half-hour mark,

Swallows midfielder Lebohang Mokoena struck the post with a long-range effort after picking up a shallow clearance by Chiefs’ defence.

The momentum was with Swallows for most of the second half but stout defence saw Chiefs absorb the pressure.

Chiefs will next be in action on Saturday in a CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg against Tanzania’s Simba SC.

Swallows host Stellenbosch FC in the league next Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Maritzburg United eased their relegation fears as they beat KwaZulu-Natal neighbours Golden Arrows 3-2 at Harry Gwala Stadium, writes Eshlin Vedan.

Maritzburg face Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila on Saturday.

Arrows remain third and next host TS Galaxy on Wednesday. Their aim will be to preserve third place to qualify for next season’s Caf Confederation Cup.

Yesterday: Chippa 0, Leopards 0; Maritzburg 3, Arrows 2; Celtic 0, CT City 0; SuperSport 1, Tshakhuma 0; Chiefs 1, Swallows 1