Siyabonga Nkosi celebrated his 31st birthday in style yesterday, as Kaizer Chiefs turned the tables on Mamelodi Sundowns.
Humiliated by the Brazilians in their MTN8 quarter-final, Stuart Baxter’s side earned just reward here for a storming second half display. Nkosi was at the heart of the Amakhosi’s success, grabbing an excellent opener, and then laying the second on a plate for Kingston Nkatha.
Sundowns pulled a goal back almost immediately, after a piece of slight misfortune for Itumeleng Khune, but that was that for Johan Neeskens’ side. The Brazilians have, indeed, slipped rather into second gear following their 4-1 cup demolition of the Amakhosi.
Chiefs, by contrast, have rallied admirably, with successive league wins and Stuart Baxter must have been particularly pleased with the performance of Nkosi, with some eyebrows raised after he was brought back for a second spell at the club.
Perhaps in response to Sundowns’ dubious defending in their 3-3 draw with Moroka Swallows on Saturday, Neeskens brought two new centre-backs in for this game, Clayton Daniels and Wayne Arendse taking their place in the heart of the Brazilians defence.
Hlompo Kekana was also rested, with Surprise Moriri coming into the side.
For Chiefs, Siboniso Gaxa returned from injury, with Tefu Mashamaite replacing Morgan Gould, who has had an operation on his Achilles tendon.
Sundowns tore Chiefs apart at set pieces in the MTN8 quarter-final and the early signs were that the Amakhosi had learned little from that experience.
In the fourth minute Teko Modise floated in a corner, and Daniels was left unmarked inside the area. But the Brazilians central defender could not direct his header on target.
Modise then almost lit up the FNB Stadium as he unleashed a rocket that Khune did brilliantly to keep out, diving to his right.
In the 24th minute, Chiefs finally created a good opening of their own. A lovely touch from Nkatha released strike partner Bernard Parker into some much-needed space. Parker’s superb pass found Siphiwe Tshabalala but the Bafana winger’s shot was stopped by a brave block from Arendse.
Most of Sundowns’ attacking moves were going through Modise, with mixed success, though he was heavily marked by Chiefs, one challenge earning Reneilwe Letsholonyane a yellow card.
Chiefs were far from pleased with the decision of referee Robert Smith, Baxter shaking his head on the touchline.
Sundowns then almost combined to good effect down the left, Edward Manqele releasing Punch Masenamela, but his cross was overhit. Seconds later, Manqele himself dragged a shot wide of the near post.
The half ended with Smith evening out the yellow cards, ex-Chief Masenamela booked for going through the back of Nkatha. But it was Chiefs who struck, Parker flicking on a throw-in, with the Sundowns defence equally dozy, and Nkosi ghosting into the area to fire a shot through the hands of Wayne Sandilands.
Chiefs were suddenly rampant and Josta Dladla’s corner was headed across goal by Nkosi, and Nkatha applied the finishing touch. Almost immediately, however, Sundowns pulled one back, Elias Pelembe laying the ball off for Daniels, whose curling effort hit the post, before bouncing back into the net off Khune. But in the end it was Chiefs who got their revenge. – The Star