Posted in News on Apr 22, 2003.
It was a great recovery by Chiefs following a 3-0 home drubbing by relegation candidates Black Leopards two weeks ago plus the ongoing Fabian McCarthy transfer wrangle against Sundowns. Chiefs started with their strongest possible squad and finished the match without making any substitutions.
This victory will not do much to improve Amakhosi’s position on the log, as they remain sixth but this will come as a huge boost as the Glamour Boys aim for a respectable finish with the title clear out of their reach.
Radebe - a second half replacement in the 3-0 defeat against Leopards - was given a start alongside DR Congo hitman Kabamba Musasa, who missed the last two matches (Ajax and Leopards) with injury. The former Free State Stars hitman did not disappoint as he fired Amakhosi in the lead three minutes before the break.
A great build up between Musasa and midfielder Stanton Fredericks down the right set Radebe up for Amakhosi’s opening goal with a thumping right-footer for his seventh league goal of the campaign.
Radebe, a constant thorn in the Ezenkosi defence, rounded off a great evening when he grabbed his second of the match on 77 minutes and this performance landed him the man-of-the-match award worth R1500. The stocky striker is now the club’s joint leading soccer with Musasa on eight goals.
Cosmos had a chance to cut the lead to 2-1 on 86 minutes but were denied by good reflex goalkeeping by Baloyi. Jomo Sono’s men were awarded a penalty as Bucuane was brought down in the box by Nengomashe, who collected a yellow for the offense. The Mozambican quickly dusted himself off to take the spot kick a minute later but Baloyi dived to his right to save.
Veteran midfielder Moshoeu rounded off a miserable evening for Cosmos and a fine recovery by the Glamour Boys when he thumped in the third goal on 90 minutes - his seventh of the season - from long range, punishing the Cosmos defence for their feeble defending and hesitation in clearing their lines.
But action quickly swung the other way with Mwafulirwa scoring the consolation - not enough to take the wind out of the Amakhosi sails.
While Cosmos battled to make inroads into the Chiefs area, Amakhosi dominated the midfield and kept their defence tight and managed a couple of half chances. Moshoeu, Fredericks and Jabu Pule were outstanding in midfield with Tenashe Nengomashe picking up the pieces.
Malawian striker Russel Mwafulirwa, who scored eight goals in the last 12 matches, was given little room to maneuver with Nhlanhla Kubeka constantly breathing down his neck. But the lanky Malawian got a rare opportunity in the dying minutes to net the consolation.
Mozambican Tico-Tico Bucuane had a couple of chances only to be denied by Baloyi’s good goalkeeping. First a half clearance by Kubeka on nine minutes almost gifted the Mozambican a scoring chance but Baloyi did well to save.
Bucuane was back knocking on Baloyi’s door on 13 minutes managing a shot despite pressure from three Chiefs defenders but Baloyi was at his equal to the task. Another attempt on 24 minutes, perhaps Bucuane’s best chance of the half, as he collects the ball from a throw-in and manages a good snap shot but Baloyi does well diving low to his right to save.
Chances were few and far between for Cosmos in the second half as they battled to find cracks in the solid Chiefs defence while also watching over their shoulders trying to contain the threat of Musasa and Radebe.
It's now back to drawing boards for Cosmos, who will have a tough home tie against Mozambican side Costa do Sol in the African Cup Winners’ Cup on Sunday. Ezenkosi will have to overcome a 1-0 first leg deficit but they should have little difficulties given their strong support in Tembisa.
Team:
Kaizer Chiefs: Baloyi, Thobejane, Kubeka, Mabedi, Nzama, Fredericks, Moshoeu, Pule, Nengomashe, Radebe, Musasa.
Referee: Ronny Marhule
Cards: Cyril Nzama 10, Jabu Pule 11, Teboho Mokoena 23, Thabang Molefe 46, Tenashe Nengomasha 86.
