Moloi derails Chiefs’ title defence

A late goal from substitute Thabo Moloi secured a 1-1 draw for Free State Stars against Kaizer Chiefs in an Absa Premiership encounter at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday. 

Katlego Mphela came off the bench to net his first goal in an Amakhosi jersey, but the Bafana Bafana marksman was outdone by relatively unknown Thabo Moloi who levelled matters seven minutes from time to ease Stars’ fears of automatic relegation.   

The hosts pushed forward from the onset as they looked for an early opener to settle any nerves inside the Peter Mokaba Stadium. 

Erick Mathoho headed over from a corner-kick in the seventh minute before Abdul Basit went close at the other end for the visitors. 

The best chance of the half fell to Bernard Parker in the 27th minute. Siphiwe Tshabalala made storming run into the penalty-box before laying it off to his Bafana Bafana teammate, who could find no way past Ayanda Mtshali from close range. 

Try as they might, Chiefs failed to unlock a robust Stars back-line in the opening stanza. 

Katlego Mphela found the opener in the 68th minute. 

The ball bounced off the crossbar and into the path of 'Killer', who nodded in from close range to register his first goal since swapping Chloorkop for Naturena. 

Stars immediately went in search of the equaliser and found it through youngster Thabo Moloi in the 83rd minute. 

Luyolo Nomandela's low cross evaded three Chiefs defenders before finding Moloi, who prodded in from close range to break Amakhosi hearts. 

Chiefs now trail log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by four points knowing that if the Brazilians manage to trump Tshwane rivals SuperSport United next week Pitso Mosimane's men will be crowned the new Absa Premiership champions. 

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Mphela 68')

Free State Stars (0) 1 (Moloi 83')

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune; Masilela, Mathoho, Mashamaite, Masilela, Letsholonyane, Katsande, Lebese (Mphela 62'), Tshabalala, Parker, Nkhatha

Free State Stars: Mtshali; Cardoso, Thlone (Nomandela 69'), Mthethwa, Masehe, Mashego, Basie, Shabalala, Abdul-Basit (Henyekane 61'), Sekola, Abraw (Moloi 75')