Chiefs finally get that winning feeling

Cape Town - 110817 - Kaizer Chiefs Fans during the MTN 8 (MTN8) Semi-Final second leg Football / Soccer match between Ajax Cape Town and Kaizer Chiefs at Cape town Stadium in Cape Town - Photo: Matthew Jordaan

Cape Town - 110817 - Kaizer Chiefs Fans during the MTN 8 (MTN8) Semi-Final second leg Football / Soccer match between Ajax Cape Town and Kaizer Chiefs at Cape town Stadium in Cape Town - Photo: Matthew Jordaan

Published Apr 28, 2016

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University of Pretoria 1

Ntombayithethi 5

Kaizer Chiefs 2

Letsholonyane 71, Katsande 85

Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs got a rare win on Wednesday night. It’s not a typo. Wins have been so scarce for Steve Komphela and his men that their triumph over University of Pretoria was celebrated like a cup final victory by many bedecked in black and gold.

It was Chiefs’ first win since February.Many a Chiefs fan may have made their way to Tshwane with some trepidation following their side’s wobbling form.

Much has been said about the quality of Chiefs' players with many doubting their credentials. Prior to Wednesday night Chiefs had not won a match in five league encounters. The doubters were given more data as Chiefs got off to a bad start against Tuks. The match was just five minutes old when Chiefs went a goal down.

A brilliant move, instigated by winger Innocent Nemukondeni down the right, saw him find striker Atusaye Nyondo with a good pass. Nyondo laid the ball for a rushing Vuyisile Ntombayithethi, who unleashed a rasping shot to beat Itumeleng Khune from the edge of the box.Chiefs were not convincing going forward.

Besides Siphiwe Tshabalala’s attempt in the second minute, there was not much Amakhosi offered from an attacking perspective in the first half. Tuks kept searching for another goal. They should have made it two when Nyondo raced forward and passed the ball to Lennox Bacela, who was making a diagonal run in the box.

Unfortunately for Tuks, Bacela failed to connect with ball, much to the relief of Amakhosi.For most of the time, Chiefs couldn’t find a way past Tuks defence, who appeared resolute. Steve Komphela’s men resorted to long range shots that would have been more fitting on a rugby field.

Off colour Bernard Parker, whose presence in Chiefs line-up has been somewhat a mystery given his form, the lack thereof, was huffing and puffing.

He got just one chance in the first half. He was found by Maluleka on the edge of the box with a great pass. Parker controlled with his left and still got time and space to turn and shoot with his right. However his final delivery sailed over the bar.

George Lebese tried his best but his best was not good enough. He got a wonderful chance to equalise when Willard Katsande found him on the edge of the box. Lebese had a deft first touch before undoing his good work with a shot that went over the bar.In the second half, Lebese had a chance to redeem himself.

He was a beneficiary of good work done by Maluleka and Tshabalala with the latter setting him through on goal. Lebese was supposed to pick a spot and slot his shot home but he fluffed it by shooting over the bar.

Tuks relaxed and had their keeper Tristyn Coetsee to thank for keeping them in the match as he denied Chiefs on number of occasions with superb saves and solid blocks.

It would eventual pay off as Coetsee was finally breached. One of Chiefs attacks led to Parker being one-on-one with advancing Coetsee, who managed to block the striker’s effort but his clearance fell on the path of Reneilwe Letsholonyane.

The dreadlocked midfielder fired a leftfooted shot to raise Amakhosi’s hopes.The goal breathed much needed revival to Chiefs, who would later another goal.

In the other game Wednesday night Pirates and Polokwane City drew 0-0.

The Star

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