Kaizer Chiefs Miss Penalty as AmaZulu Hold Them to a Draw

Kaizer Chiefs felt frustrated on Wednesday night, 1 October 2025, after they were held to a 1–1 draw by AmaZulu at the FNB Stadium. While Chiefs had the better chances, they could not make them count. AmaZulu, on the other hand, worked hard, defended with discipline, and left Johannesburg with a point they will be pleased with.

The draw keeps Kaizer Chiefs in 5th place on the DStv Premiership table

The game came to life in the 21st minute when AmaZulu’s Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya silenced the home crowd. He found space in the Chiefs’ defence and calmly put the ball past Brandon Petersen to give Usuthu the lead. Just minutes later, Chiefs were handed the perfect chance to bounce back when they were awarded a penalty. But Fiston Mayele Lilepo’s effort was saved by goalkeeper Olwethu Johnson, who guessed the right way and kept AmaZulu ahead.

For Chiefs fans, the missed penalty was a painful moment, but their team did not give up. In the 32nd minute, Mduduzi Shabalala equalised, finishing off a neat move set up by Pule Mmodi. His goal lifted the stadium and gave Chiefs momentum going into halftime. At the break, the score stood at 1–1, but Amakhosi looked like the side more likely to grab a winner.

The second half told a familiar story for Chiefs. They kept the ball, pressed high up the field, and created chances, but they simply could not put the ball in the net. Sibongiseni Mthethwa picked up a yellow card in the 55th minute, but otherwise, the game was all about whether Chiefs could find that second goal. AmaZulu made changes in the 67th minute, bringing on Bonginkosi Thabede for Thabiso Kutumela and Aphiwe Maqokola for Siyethemba Sithole to give their midfield fresh legs.

Cavin Johnson, coaching from the Chiefs dugout, turned to his bench, replacing Lilepo with F. Silva in the 75th minute, while Thabo Cele and Gaston Sirino came on a few minutes later to add more creativity. In the 84th minute, Wandile Duba was introduced for Khanyisa Mayo as Chiefs went all-out attack. Despite wave after wave of pressure, AmaZulu stood strong. Johnson, their goalkeeper, made key saves, while the defenders blocked almost everything thrown at them.

By the time the final whistle blew, Chiefs had registered 23 shots, enjoyed 67 percent possession, and won seven corners. AmaZulu, in comparison, only managed three shots in the whole game, but their single effort on target, Ngwenya’s goal was enough to secure them a point. Chiefs, meanwhile, were left thinking about what could have been if Lilepo had scored his penalty.

The draw keeps Kaizer Chiefs in 5th place on the DStv Premiership table with 15 points. AmaZulu move up to 9th with 12 points. For AmaZulu, it was a job well done going to Soweto, frustrating one of the country’s biggest clubs, and leaving with something to show for it.

At full-time, the scoreboard read Kaizer Chiefs 1–1 AmaZulu, with goals from Ngwenya in the 21st minute and Shabalala in the 32nd minute.