Chiefs Held by 10-Man TS Galaxy in Mbombela Frustration, Latest Log Table

Kaizer Chiefs ended their final Betway Premiership match of 2025 with a goalless draw against TS Galaxy on Sunday afternoon, despite dominating large spells and creating the better chances at Mbombela Stadium. In a match defined by missed opportunities, inspired goalkeeping and frantic late drama, Amakhosi were left ruing their lack of a finishing touch.

Chiefs began the encounter with authority, immediately pushing Galaxy deep into their own half. Mfundo Vilakazi forced Ira Tapé into the first save of the match within four minutes, and the early pressure continued to mount as Mduduzi Shabalala and Khanyisa Mayo both narrowly missed the target. Tapé, who would end the day as the clear standout performer for the hosts, produced two sharp stops to deny Shabalala inside the opening 10 minutes.

Galaxy offered little in attack during the first period but defended bravely, with Mahlambi earning the game’s first yellow card for a desperate challenge on Vilakazi. Chiefs remained relentless, with Vilakazi again testing Tapé from range, while Mayo was denied from point-blank distance by a brilliant reaction save. Despite sustained dominance and a flurry of corners, the breakthrough eluded the visitors and the teams went into half-time locked at 0–0.

The second half began with Galaxy making two tactical substitutions, yet it did little to shift the balance of play. Chiefs continued to dictate possession and tempo, and introduced fresh attacking legs in Asenele Velebayi, Makabi Lilepo and later Wandile Duba and Luke Baartman. The changes injected new urgency and soon Lilepo began finding pockets of space, going close on multiple occasions — including a fierce angled strike saved by Tapé and a curling effort from distance that drifted just wide.

As the match approached its final 15 minutes, Chiefs escalated the pressure and came within inches of scoring when Mayo’s header was pushed away superbly by Tapé, continuing a remarkable performance from the Galaxy goalkeeper. Moments later, Zitha Kwinika and Miguel both went close from set-pieces, the latter heading over from close range after a well-worked routine.

Galaxy Survive Late Chiefs Onslaught to Snatch Point With 10 Men

Galaxy, mostly quiet in attack, suddenly produced a moment that could have stolen all three points. In the 90th minute, Junior Zindoga smashed the right-hand post with a low drive from inside the box — the closest the home side came all afternoon. Just when it seemed the game was drifting towards a tense finish, the hosts were reduced to 10 men after Nhlanhla Mgaga was shown a straight red card for violent conduct deep into stoppage time.

Chiefs had one final opportunity to snatch victory when Miguel rose to meet a Dillan Solomons cross, but his header skimmed past the post, summing up an afternoon of near-misses. The final whistle confirmed a frustrating 0–0 draw for Amakhosi, who created more than enough chances but lacked the cutting edge required to convert their dominance into a win.

Despite the disappointment, the point keeps Chiefs firmly lodged inside the league’s top four as the year concludes. They sit fourth on 24 points after 13 matches, trailing Sekhukhune United by a single point and remaining within touching distance of leaders Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns. Galaxy remain eighth but can take pride in a resilient defensive display and a standout showing from Tapé.

For Chiefs, the performance was encouraging in every area but the scoreline. Their buildup play, tempo and chance creation were all strong — but questions around efficiency in the final third linger as the league heads into its end-of-year break.

Line-ups

TS Galaxy XI

Starting XI:
Ira Eliezer Tapé;
Lentswe Motaung, MacBeth Mahlangu, Khulumani Ndamane, Kganyane Letsoenayo;
Jeffrey Dlamini, Sphesihle Maduna;
Seluleko Mahlambi, Mpho Mvelase, Junior Zindoga;
Mehdi Ouamri.

Substitutes used:
Mlungisi Mbunjana, Mory Keita, Nhlanhla Mgaga, Victor Letsoalo, Ntandoyenkosi Nkosi.

Kaizer Chiefs XI

Starting XI:
Petersen (c);
Paseka Mako, Zitha Kwinika, Inácio Miguel, Dillan Solomons;
Lehlogonolo Matlou, Lebohang Maboe;
Mduduzi Shabalala, Mfundo Vilakazi, Khanyisa Mayo;
Da Silva.

Substitutes used:
Siphesihle Ndlovu, Luke Baartman, Asenele Velebayi, Makabi Lilepo, Wandile Duba.
(Other subs: Bvuma, Msimango, Monyane, Mc Cathy)

What the result means for the table

The draw sees Chiefs close out the year still very much in the title conversation, but they miss an opportunity to close the gap on leaders Orlando Pirates.

Betway Premiership table after the match