22.10.2014 23:45 h

Swallows end Chiefs' 13-match winning streak

Kaizer Chiefs surrendered a 13-match winning run since the South African season started with two of their former players helping Moroka Swallows force a 1-1 Premiership draw Wednesday.

Midfielder Lucky Baloyi joined Swallows recently from Chiefs and put his new club ahead on 28 minutes in Soweto with a sweetly-struck shot from outside the penalty area.

Outstanding Chiefs midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane equalised midway through the second half at Soccer City stadium.

But Swallows survived under new coach and former Chiefs star Fani Madida to become the first club since the season kicked off early August to prevent Chiefs winning in nine league and five cup games.

Madida, a prolific scorer for Chiefs two decades ago, took charge Monday when Zeca Marques quit after four consecutive league losses.

Swallows were never overawed at the 90,000-seat Soccer City stadium and went ahead when Baloyi slammed a loose ball past Chiefs goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo into the corner.

It was the first time this season that Chiefs, the most successful and popular South African football club, trailed.

Falling behind roused timid Chiefs and a Letsholonyane chip went narrowly wide before Mandla Masango forced a superb save from Nigerian Greg Etafia.

Chiefs pressed continuously during the second half and Letsholonyane levelled with a close-range flick after slick passing carved open the defence.

"We were too tame until going behind," said Chiefs England-born coach Stuart Baxter, "then dominated and had chances to win.

"I was not surprised by Swallows performance as a new coach usually brings new energy to a team and they put in a lot of effort."

Madida said: "We worked hard, got our tactics right, knew where Chiefs were vulnerable, but wasted a few chances."

While leaders Chiefs dropped two points, many in the chasing pack slipped with Orlando Pirates and Wits University losing and Mamelodi Sundowns drawing.

A Mabhuti Khenyeza penalty condemned Pirates to a 2-1 loss at Mpumalanga Black Aces and Ugandan Boban Bogere scored as lowly Polokwane City stunned Wits 2-0 in Johannesburg.

Zimbabwean Cuthbert Malajila struck his fourth Premiership goal this season to nudge Sundowns ahead against Chippa United in Port Elizabeth, but Thamsanqa Sangweni forced a 1-1 draw before being red-carded.

The three-match winning run of SuperSport United came to an abrupt halt as they crumbled 4-1 at home to Maritzburg United for whom Zimbabwean Terrance Mandaza bagged a brace.

Chiefs have 25 points after nine rounds of the richest African national football championship with a 10 million rand ($910,000, 720,000 euros) first prize.

Ajax Cape Town have 17 points, Maritzburg, Sundowns and Aces 15 each and Pirates, Wits and Chippa 14 apiece.