Amakhosi bask in the glory

Published May 16, 2013

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Polokwane – This is certainly not how Kaizer Chiefs would have wanted to win the league, but what do they care really? They are Premiership champions for the first time in eight years and the glory has been reclaimed.

And who better to dethrone as champions than their great rivals Orlando Pirates, who had the trophy in their Parktown offices for two seasons running before Chiefs claimed it on Wednesday night. There was wild excitement in Polokwane after the referee’s final whistle as the DJ played the song We are No1.

Needing just one point to seal the crown that was already bestowed on them by the public before Wednesday’s kick-off against SuperSport, Chiefs gave a rather subdued performance but still managed to get the point which confirmed them as champions with one match to play – against University of Pretoria at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.

Striker Lehlohonolo Majoro, in the starting line-up ahead of Zimbabwean hitman Kingston Nkhatha, scored early in the second half to give Amakhosi the lead but veteran striker Sibusiso Zuma scored late to set up a nervy finish.

Amakhosi held on to win the title, but they should really have wrapped up this title in style. They had the chances, in fact plenty, but poor finishing let them down, much to the frustration of the supporters who had come out expecting to see their side wrap it up in fine style. They started well, dominating play, but were guilty of giving away possession in crucial areas.

Amakhosi should have taken the lead 10 minutes before the break when Majoro broke through on the left before delivering a low cross which midfielder George Lebese failed to connect.

The ball was not cleared to safety by SuperSport and when it was brought back in from the right flank, Majoro unleashed a powerful shot that Ronwen Williams saved.

Majoro had another opportunity in the second minute of the second half, but directed his shot wide of goal, failing to make the most of a Bevan Fransman mistake in the SuperSport defence.

Easily the busiest player on the pitch, Majoro made up for his earlier misses minutes later when he opened the scoring for Amakhosi, this time keeping his cool after taking advantage of a Williams error.

Right-back Siboniso Gaxa played in a long ball from his own half towards Majoro, who calmly placed the ball into an empty net after Williams had come out to clear the ball but failed. Up in the VIP box, Stuart Baxter, serving the first of his two-match suspension, punched his fist into the air.

Itumeleng Khune later made a good save off a Sameehg Doutie set piece, but could not keep out Zuma’s late strike two minutes from time. Amakhosi held on for the draw which gave Baxter the honour of being the first foreign coach to win the league in his first season of coaching in the Premiership. Chiefs are on 57 points and still have a chance of reaching the 60-point mark. – The Star

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