Chiefs Still Trail By Three

Despite walking to a comfortable 2-0 win over Polokwane City in an Absa Premiership match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night, Kaizer Chiefs still find themselves trailing Mamelodi Sundowns on the league standings.

A goal in each half from George Lebese and George Maluleka handed the Amakhosi the three points, but combined with Sundowns’ 1-0 win over MP Black Aces in their Wednesday night fixture sees the Soweto clubs still three points behind their Tshwane rivals.

Chiefs dominated the majority of the match and had the lion’s share of possession, but they were often guilty of poor decision making in the final third of the field.

Polokwane didn’t offer much in attack, but they did have a couple of decent scoring chances.

The Amakhosi started like a house on fire and opened the scoring in the tenth minute thanks to some strong work down the right flank by Kingston Nkhatha.

The Zimbabwean muscled his way into the right side of the box and squared for Lebese to tap home from only a couple of yards out, 1-0.

Chiefs second chance also came from the right flank in the 21^st minute when Siphiwe Tshabalala crossed to find Erick Mathoho in the opposition box, surprisingly so, but his finish matched that of a defender as he shot straight at the keeper.

Polokwane’s best chance of the match came nine minutes later when a poor defensive error from Mathoho allowed Thabo Rakhale in behind the Chiefs defence, but with just the keeper to beat he lobbed his effort over the onrushing goalkeeper and wide of goal.

Chiefs suffered a slight set-back in the 37^th minute when Nkhatha had to leave the field injured and was replaced by Katelgo Mphela – although the fans did not think it was a loss as they cheered the Zimbabwean’s departure.

The second half saw Chiefs trying to underline their dominance when Maluleka struck the right hand post after rounding the keeper two minutes after the restart.

Maluleka did find his goal in the 73^rd minute when a deflected shot from just inside the box looped over the stranded keeper and into the back of the net, 2-0.

That goal was enough to seal the three points for Chiefs who still trail Mamelodi Sundowns by three points after they beat MP Black Aces, also on Wednesday night.

Polokwane City (0) 0

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 2 (Lebese 10’, Maluleka 73’)

Teams

Polokwane: Modiri Marumo, Tlou Molekwane, Vusi Mthimkhulu, Thapelo Tshilo, Vukile Mngqibisa, Thabo Rakhale, Sandile Sibande (Roger Majafa 79’), Jabu Maluleke, Galabgw Monyana (Esau Kanyenda 60’), Thobani Mncwango, Sipho Jembula (Siphesihle Nzimande 70’)

Chiefs: Itumeleng Khune, Siboniso Gaxa, Erick Mathoho, Tefu Mashamaite, Tsepo Masilela, Willard Katsande, George Maluleka (Ivan Bukenya 86’), Siphiwe Tshabalala, Bernard Parker (Knowledge Musona 87’), George Lebese, Kingston Nkhatha (Katelgo Mphela 37’)

BACKPAGE MEDIA