Durban – Bernard Parker scored four goals as Kaizer Chiefs quickly erased their humiliating loss to Mamelodi Sundowns six days ago by crushing AmaZulu 6-0 in their Premiership opener at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday night.
The Amakhosi, under heavy scrutiny after they were beaten 4-1 by the Brazilians in an MTN8 cup tie last Sunday, went in front after 38 minutes thanks to the Bafana Bafana striker, with Kingston Nkhatha doubling the advantage three minutes later.
It was 2-0 at the break and after the restart, Parker added three more goals in a 15-minute spell, with Siyabonga Nkosi scoring in the 90th minute to give new coach Stuart Baxter his first competitive victory Äone that will live long in his memory.
Just before the half-hour mark, Siphiwe Tshabalala produced a moment of inspiration for his side to bring the crowd to their feet.
The Chiefs captain picked up the ball in midfield, and with no one around him, drove forward powerfully, before playing a one-two with Nkhatha and then firing low to the left, where Tapuwa Kapini was on hand to parry wide.
Moments later the Zimbabwean goalkeeper was again called into action when Bernard Parker escaped down the left and cut back to Jimmy Jambo, who forced Kapini to dive and push away to his left this time.
Nkhatha then had another chance in the 37th minute, but opted to take on the defence, seeing his strike blocked by Kapini.
But there was no denying the visitors seconds later when Parker collected Josta Dladla’s pass from the right and ghosted his way past two defenders, before firing in from inside the box.
Three minutes later, Eric Mathoho’s towering header from a corner came back off the crossbar and fell kindly for Nkhatha, who powered in on the line.
Parker should have made it 3-0 in stoppage time, but somehow managed to lift over Dladla’s cross from two yards out.
After the restart, Prince Hlela came close with a 25-yard free-kick that dipped just over, while Kagiso Senamela caught out Itumeleng Khune, but not the crossbar as the hosts lacked some much-needed luck.
And Chiefs hurt them once again in the 57th minute when an error in midfield allowed Reneilwe Letsholonyane to play in Parker on the right and the striker thumped in powerfully from inside the box.
The in-form front man completed his hat-trick in the 65th minute when he again took a pass from midfielder Letsholonyane and rifled in with his left foot, before adding an exquisite chip over Kapini from just inside the box in the 72nd minute.
And with time running out, Nkosi collected from Parker and curled in with his left foot from the edge of the box to complete the rout. – Sapa