Posted in News on Apr 29, 2015.
Bernard Parker scored with virtually the last kick of the game to secure a 1-0 win for Kaizer Chiefs over a 10-man Mamelodi Sundwons at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Wednesday evening.
The Bafana Bafana striker finding the back of the net in the fourth minute of stoppage time after Siyanda Zwane saw red with a minute of regulation time remaining for a second bookable offence.
The win moves the league champions 18 points clear of second placed 'Downs.
Chances were at a premium in the opening exchanges with both goalkeepers virtually untested in the opening 45.
Mzikayise Mashaba had the first chance of the match with 20 minutes on the clock.
Buoyed by his stunning goal in the Nedbank Cup against Vasco da Gama, the fullback-cum-midfielder surged into the area, but was unable to connect sufficiently with Teko Modise's perfectly weighted pass.
The former Free State Stars man was again in the thick of things just before the half-hour mark, but his deflected effort was easily kept out by Riyaad Pieterse who was favoured in goal with Itumeleng Khune named among the substitutes.
Denis Onyango, who had the odd cross to deal with, watched on as Matthew Rusike guided his header from a corner-kick wide of goal in the 43rd minute.
Returning Katlego Mashego went close to the opener on the cusp of halftime. After skinning Willard Katsande he sent his curling effort wide of Pieterse's right-hand post.
'Downs came out strongest after the break with the hosts winning a succession of set-plays which were well defended by Chiefs.
The Amakhosi, though, would go close with a free-kick of their own in the 58th minute after Rusike was chopped down just outside the area.
Parker stepped up, sending his attempt straight through the 'Downs wall, but wide of Onyango's goal.
Looking to add to his recent goal tally against Chiefs, Modise broke forward with intent, but was only able to sky his effort from just outside the area in the 76th minute as Katlego Mphela made his way onto the park for the Soweto giants.
Siyanda Zwane was sent for an early shower after picking up his second caution of the match in the 89th minute.
Parker then popped up to score the winner with the final move of the game. 'Downs defence failed to clear Reneiliwe Letsholonyane's cross which deflected off Onyango and then Parker and into the back of the net.
Mamelodi Sundowns 0
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Parker 90+4')
Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango; Langerman, Mphahlele, Nthethe, S.Zwane, Mashaba (Arendse 90+1'), Kekana, Zungu, Modise (Mahachi 85'), Billiat, Mashego (Laffor 75')
Kaizer Chiefs: Pieterse, Gaxa, Mathoho, Mashamaite, Masilela, Letsholonyane, Katsande, Masango (Ekstein 65'), Maluleka (Zulu 84'), Parker, Rusike (Mphela 76')
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