Johannesburg – Kaizer Chiefs, helped by two own goals, powered their way to an emphatic 4-0 victory against Free State Stars at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.
It was a dominant performance and three points for Chiefs who drew their first PSL game and would have pleased coach Steve Komphela, who was up against his former team.
Chiefs dominated the early stages of the game when Bernard Parker came close to scoring but was shut out by a defence which seemed to be struggling.
It was only in the 17th minute when Stars broke the shackles after some slack defending, but Danny Venter’s shot was blocked.
A few minutes later Stars broke again and Itumeleng Khune was forced to make a good save with an outflung leg when Sthembiso Ngcobo got hold of a pass and fired on target. This seemed to wake up Chiefs who continued to plug away, forcing a few corners.
Stars though were looking more comfortable midway through the first half, pushing the ball around in midfield but they were stunned in the 34th minute.
Siboniso Gaxa galloped down the right flank, crossed to a crowded penalty area only to see his shot deflected into the net off the legs off Robert Sankara for an unfortunate own goal.
But there was nothing wrong about the second goal in the 42nd minute. Siphiwe Tshabalala weaved his way through some defenders on the right, slid a perfect slide rule pass across goal for George Lebese to tuck it past goalkeeper Johnny Mathole and into the net off the left upright.
If that was not bad enough, Stars imploded again just on the first half whistle when Liberty Chakoroma had a moment of madness when, trying to defend ball from Parker, he powered a shot into his own net much to the shock of his goalkeeper – and no doubt his fellow players.
With the game more or less over as a contest, the second half was played without much purpose with the Amakhosi seemingly content to play it safe and knock it around the park.
But Chiefs were soon making Stars suffer again when Tshabalala got hold of a ball just outside the penalty area and sent a looping volley into the top corner of the net for the fourth goal. He could have had another a minute later but was thwarted by an outstretched Mathole.
– African News Agency (ANA)