Kaizer Chiefs's top eight hopes in the Betway Premiership took a blow after a 1-1 draw away to Sekhukhune United on Satruday afternoon.
The Amakhosi gave Diski Challenge captain Aiden McCarthy his first team debut and also restored Nkosingiphile Ngcobo in place of Thabo Cele following the Nedbank Cup final victory over Orlando Pirates last weekend.
The Glamour Boys, however, conceded four minutes into the game when a teasing shot by Ngoanamello Rammala got the better of Brandon Petersen at the near post.
Captain Yusuf Maart, who starred last Saturday, looked to rescue the Soweto giants again minutes later from a cross by Dillion Solomons, but he unfortunately missed target by firing over.
Lilepo did come to Chiefs' aid on the stroke of halftime when he got the better of Renaldo Leaner with a lovely strike from around 20 yards.
Chiefs turned to the bench ahead of the second half and sacrificed Sirino to bring on Mduduzi Shabalala, with Babina Noko unchanged from the opening spell.
There were chances either side around the midway point of the second exchanges as Mmodi went wide from a layoff by McCarthy.
At the other end, a yard of space outside the danger area saw Samkele Sihlali step inside to get goal-side and worked goalkeeper Petersen to a smart save.
Mmodi went close again in the last 20 minutes through a cleverly worked chipped attempt from the danger area, but he couldn’t get the better of Leaner.
Chiefs continued their strong spell and had a header from the area by Edmilson Dove fizzle narrowly wide following a cross by Shabalala.
It wasn’t the best end to the match for the Amakhosi, who were down to ten men as Mmodi got his marching orders for violent conduct.
Babina Noko looked to make the most of the men advantage and conjured a couple of scoring chances, but didn’t find target and left the tie even at the end.
Confirmed line-ups:
Sekhukhune United: Leaner, Mogaila, Cardoso, Yamba, Letlapa, Mkhize, Monare, Mncube, Makgwala, Sihlali, Rammala.
Subs: Sangare, Langa, Mntambo, Mokoena, Kapinga, Tlaka, Mohamme, Ngakosso, Shezi
Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen, Kwinika, Dove, McCarthy, Solomons, Maart, Ngcobo, Mmodi, Lilepo, Duba, Sirino
Subs: Bvuma, Mashiane, Blom, Castillo, Matlou, Shabalala, Mthethwa, Du Preez, Morris
