Goals from Kingston Nkhatha, Tefu Mashamaite and Katlego Mphela gave Kaizer Chiefs a 3-0 Absa Premiership win over AmaZulu at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
The win was Chiefs’ second straight victory but it came too late after abdicating their PSL crown on the penultimate day of the season on May 6 to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Chiefs ended in second place on 63 points, two behind Sundowns who drew 1-1 on the same date away at Maritzburg United.
Chiefs’ tails were high and sent a message of intent to complete back-to-back PSL wins over AmaZulu whom they beat 4-1 away last December.
Amakhosi threatened as early as the ninth minute when Siphiwe Tshabalala's free kick was cleared by the AmaZulu defenders.
Two minutes later, Chiefs took the lead through Nkhatha when his right footed shot sailed past AmaZulu goalkeeper Aubrey Mathibe.
AmaZulu were lucky not to have conceded a second goal in the 15th minute when Mandla Masango drove his effort just wide if the right post.
Chiefs then extended their lead five minutes before halftime when Mashamaite turned in Tshabalala's corner, to see the hosts take a 2-0 lead into the break.
Mphela added Chiefs’ third in the 54th minute just minutes after replacing Mandla Masango.
AmaZulu had two great efforts to get on the scoresheet after the hour mark through Ruzaigh Gamildien, whose effort was saved by Itumeleng Khune in the 63rd minute, and another effort of his cleared by Kgotso Moleko.
Chiefs’ 59th minute substitute Bernard Parker almost added Chiefs’ fourth goal in the 68th minute but his attempt was kept out by Mathibe.
AmaZulu meanwhile end the season outside the top eight bracket in ninth place after failing to build on their 1-0 win over demoted Golden Arrows five days ago in their penultimate league game of the season.
Kaizer Chiefs (2) 3 (Nkhatha 11’ Mashamaite 40’ Mphela 54’)
AmaZulu 0
Teams:
Chiefs: Itumeleng Khune, Kgotso Moleko, Tefu Mashamaite, Erick Mathoho, Tespo Masilela, Ivan Bukenya, Siphiwe Tshabalala, George Lebese (Lucky Baloyi), Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Mandla Masango (Bernard Parker), Kingston Nkhatha.
AmaZulu: Aubrey Mathibe, Bonginkosi Macala, Sfiso Hlanti, Willem Mwedihanga,Tamsanqa Teyise, Kulegani Madondo (Ruzaigh Gamildien), Goodman Dlamini, Lucky Nguzana (Tshepo Liphoko), Lunga Zondi, John Arwuah, Ayanda Dlamini – BackpageTxt