Posted in News on Feb 02, 2005.
The defending champions could have easily buried Leopards under an avalanche of goals had it not been for some hurried shooting but birthday boy Collins Mbesuma was without doubt the star of the night.
The Zambian international, who was turning 21 on the night, increased his tally to thirteen goals and sits atop the goalscoring charts two ahead of Dynamos’ Sandile Ndlovu. Overall Mbesuma has now scored 19 goals in all competitions.
The opening exchanges looked even, with both teams feeling each other out, midfielder Emmanuel “Scara” Ngobese rifled an early shot in at goal on the fifteen minute mark which drew out a good save from goalkeeper Amon Phophi.
Just on 16 minutes later Ngobese whipped in a corner for Songwe Chalwe to flick the ball onto Mbesuma who had a simple header to give Chiefs the lead.
Leopards came close to drawing level in the 26th minute when Rudzani Ramadzuli skimmed the crossbar with his header.
Leopards were trying to force their way through the middle of Chiefs defence throughout the first half but when they could not find their way, they pushed down the flanks trying to exploit Chiefs wingbacks. However, this proved fruitless as Amakhosi, with striker Patrick Mayo deployed at left-back, were simply unmovable.
Chiefs could have doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time, when Chalwe again linked with Mbesuma who saw his header skim the crossbar.
Five minutes into the second half, Gerald Sibeko fired a shot wide of the goal, however Mbesuma was on hand to deflect the ball into the goal, doubling Chiefs’ lead.
Sibeko scored in the 65th minute beating Phophi with the shot after breaking through the defence.
David Radebe, who was introduced on 60 minutes in place of Chalwe, almost immediately gave Chiefs a fourth, however he couldn’t direct his header on target and it flew harmlessly over the crossbar.
Gert Schalkwyk was introduced in the 77th minute in place of Nengomasha and immediately made an impact on 79 minutes when he was supplied by Radebe but he was unlucky not to score.
Overall it was an impressive performance by Amakhosi who have now won three in succession with goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez also claiming his third clean sheet in a row.
Amakhosi will now look forward to their league match against Silver Stars on Sunday hoping for a similar display and results to cut Pirates’ lead to just four points.
Teams:
Kaizer Chiefs: Fernandez, Nzama, Mabedi, McCarthy, Mayo, Khanye (Mathebula 55’), Nengomasha (Schalkwyk 77’), Sibeko, Ngobese, Chalwe (Radebe 60’), Mbesuma
Leopards: Phophi, Nhleko, Solopi, Masangane, Ramavhale (Mathebula 45’), G. Ramudzuli, Mulaudzi, Lechesa, Netshidzivhe, Sikhwivhilu (Kekana 53’), R. Ramudzuli
Goalscorers: (1 – 0) Mbesuma 17’, (2 – 0) Mbesuma 50’, (3 – 0) Sibeko 65’
Cautions: Yellow Cards: Galane 19th, Fransman 60th
