Kaizer Chiefs suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Marumo Gallants on Saturday afternoon after a freakish late own goal handed victory to the visitors at FNB Stadium.
In a tightly contested DStv Premiership match, both sides struggled to create clear chances throughout the game. Chiefs controlled possession and looked the more likely to score, but were left frustrated by Gallants’ disciplined defensive setup.
The deadlock was broken in the 89th minute in unusual fashion. Chiefs defender Thatayaone Ditlhokwe inadvertently deflected a low cross into his own net while attempting to clear the danger. The own goal stunned the home supporters and left Amakhosi with little time to recover.
Despite a desperate push in the closing moments, Chiefs were unable to find an equalizer. The defeat dealt a blow to their ambitions of finishing strongly in the league standings, while Gallants celebrated a rare victory that lifts them away from relegation trouble.
Speaking after the match, Chiefs’ interim coach Dillon Sheppard expressed disappointment: “It’s very tough to take. The players gave everything but football can be cruel sometimes.”
Kaizer Chiefs will now look to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures, aiming to end the season on a positive note, while Gallants will hope this result sparks a strong finish to their campaign.
