FNB Stadium
Kaizer Chiefs: (2) 3 – Tshabalala 18, Parker 32, Katsande 64
Free State Stars: (0) 1 – Mahamutsa 73
JOHANNESBURG – Kaizer Chiefs hit the ground running on return of the Absa Premiership, thumping a hapless Free State Stars outfit to stretch their winning streak to three matches.
But it is how they build from what was their most emphatic result so far this season, one welcomed by the club supporters following a frustrating first half of the campaign, in which Amakhosi slumped from being log leaders at some stage to battling to stay in the title hunt.
Gustavo Paez, the unknown Venezuelan striker signed by coach Steve Komphela on transfer deadline day, dominated headlines in the build-up to this fixture, but he was only thrown in once it was a no-brainer that Chiefs had secured the valuable three points here.
Komphela didn’t do much tweaking despite six weeks of no football due to the Africa Cup of Nations held in Gabon last month.
Critics will point to the calibre of the opposition – a Stars team third from bottom and with a new coach in Serame Letsoaka – in trying to make light of this Chiefs victory. But it was polished nonetheless.
The old guard in Siphiwe Tshabalala and Bernard Parker helped Amakhosi go into the break with a healthy 2-0 lead.
Tshabalala had netted a stunning free kick in the 18th minute, giving goalkeeper Thela Ngobeni no chance. While Parker initially fluffed his attempt from the spot kick, only to convert on the rebound at it was saved. Applause, instead of the usual boos, reverberated around this venue at halftime.
And Chiefs continued to dominate terms in the second half, with Willard Katsande scoring a beautifully worked solo goal to make it 3-0.
Stars were never a threat even after pulling one back through defender Rooi Mahamutsa’s clever low free kick to beat goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, but what that goal highlighted was Amakhosi’s poor reaction when they concede.
Perhaps largely due to the fact that the game was pretty much wrapped up, Chiefs were not as aggressive in their approach.
It would have been a massive confidence booster to hammer a Stars team clearly in disarray and there for the taking. That might have really sent a statement of intent to their title rivals Cape Town City, SuperSport United and Bidvest Wits.
Komphela will not be moaning too much, however, as this is a new year’s resolution to definitely build on.
@superjourno