Easy victory for Kaizer Chiefs

SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 21: Kaizer Chiefs players during the Absa Premiership match between Kaizer Chiefs and Platinum Stars at FNB Stadium on September 21, 2013 in Soweto, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 21: Kaizer Chiefs players during the Absa Premiership match between Kaizer Chiefs and Platinum Stars at FNB Stadium on September 21, 2013 in Soweto, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

Published Feb 1, 2014

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Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs opened a comfortable 10-point lead at the top of the Absa Premiership with a 2-0 derby win over Moroka Swallows at the Dobsonville Stadium on Friday night.

Chiefs hit the ground running and scored an opener as early as the third minute, Siphiwe Tshabalala played a beautiful through ball for Kingston Nkatha who showed great control and composure to beat keeper Greg Etafia.

Two minutes later, Tshabalala nearly doubled the Chiefs' lead but watched in agony as his effort flew wide off Etafia's goal much to the disappointment of coach Staurt Baxter on the sidelines.

Amakhosi meant business and came close yet again in the 9th minute, George Lebese made a brilliant solo run on the left wing and played a cross but Nkatha was seconds late to bury the chance.

Swallows' first real chance of the match came in the 17th minute, Willard Katsande hacked down Asavela Mbekile but Dikgang Mabalane fluffed the resultant freekick from the edge of the box.

Edward Manqele should have levelled matters in the 23rd minute as a long ball from Larry Cohen caught the Chiefs defence napping and fell kindly for the striker who was disappointingly too casual, allowing Eric Mathoho to recover.

In the 26th minute, Reneilwe Letsolonyane fumbled over the ball giving away possession to Giorgi Nergadze who spotted Itumeleng Khune off his line and tried to chip him but the ball sailed over the crossbar.

Chiefs should have doubled their lead early in the second half, Tshabalala swung in the ball from a corner kick and Musona

out-jumped Chabangu only to direct his effort wide for a goalkick.

Etafia nearly gifted Chiefs a goal in the 69th minute as he miscued the ball trying to clear a back pass and the ball fell in the path of Musona who pulled the ball back only for Siyabonga Nkosi to rifle the ball wide.

After some concerted pressure Chiefs finally got a second goal, Letsholonyane played a drop ball behind the Birds defence and Musona evaded a challenge from Rudi Isaacs before he coolly chipped the ball over the advancing Etafia to make it 2-0.

In the 73rd minute, Cohen got away with murder as he clipped Nkosi from behind by on the edge of the box and only got a yellow card much to the fury of the Chiefs players who had thought it would be red.

Musona pulled the trigger from the resultant freekick and Etafia parried the ball onto Katsande's feet but the Chiefs anchorman lacked composure to bury the chance much to the relief of Zeca Marques on the Birds bench.

The win means Chiefs have now recorded eight wins on the trot, which would come as a confidence booster as they look to defend their title.

Sapa

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