Kaizer Chiefs failed to build on their two consecutive 3-0 wins in the Absa Premiership as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Black Leopards at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Soweto giants came into the game looking to extend their lead at the top of the table to 12 points ahead of the clash between second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns and third-placed SuperSport United on Sunday.

Leopards, though, arrived fully immersed in the relegation battle and were looking for any result against the league leaders.

Chiefs started the game on the front foot and it did not take them long to open the scoring with yet another header from a set piece. Lebogan Manyama’s well-delivered corner was met by Samir Nurkovic, who flicked his header past Leopards goalkeeper Jonas Mendes at the near post.

Lidoda Duvha responded well in the heat at the Thohoyandou Stadium as they looked to up the tempo while the visitors wanted to control the pace of the game and slow it down.

The home side, though, continued to push and got their equaliser in the 32nd minute as Mogakolodi Ngele curled in a superb free kick from the edge of the box, leaving Chiefs keeper Daniel Akpeyi with no chance.

The Nigerian stopper was then called into the game seven minutes before the break as Ngele went clean through on goal, but was denied by Akpeyi to keep the scores level going into the break.

The second half got off to a slow start as the heat of the game started to take its toll on both sides and chances were proving hard to come by.

Chiefs continued to look dangerous from set plays but were struggling to create anything from open play, as Leopards were proving to be disciplined and difficult to break down.

Try as they might neither side could find a way to goal in the second half and both had to settle for a point.