Posted in News on Sep 15, 2009.
Venue: Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, Rustenburg
Date: 15 September 2009
Kick off: 19h30
Platinum Stars 0
Kaizer Chiefs 1 (Tshabalala 61)
Caution: Letsholonyane
Dismissal: Khompela
The Glamour Boys answered their critics with style last night when they beat Platinum Stars 1-0 at the impressive Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Rustenburg on Tuesday night. Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the only goal of the match in the 61st minute handing the Glamour Boys their second win of the season.
Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace might be a hunting ground for Siphiwe Tshabalala who scored a cracker of a goal for Bafana Bafana against Norway in the same ground earlier this year.
Defender, Tshifiwa Mmbooi making his first start for Chiefs was given a nod on the right side of defence while Thabang “Evergreen” Rooi partnered the reliable, Thomas “Rambo” Sweswe in the heart of defence.
In the midfield Reneilwe “Yeye” Letsholonyane made his first appearance this season alongside Tinashe Nengomasha in the heart of the midfield.
On the right hand side of the midfield, veteran winger, Arthur “10111” Zwane was recalled to the starting line up and upfront Kaizer Motaung Jr was recalled to partner Jose Torrealba with Nkosinathi Nhleko starting from the bench these totalling six changes to the team that started in the loss against Maritzburg United last weekend.
It was the visitors who threatened first with Arthur Zwane firing his shot wide following a superb cross from Zimbabwean international, Jimmy Jambo. On the other side of the pitch, Arthur Bartman was forced to dive low following an effort from Alton Meiring.
Tshifiwa “Asinamali” Mmbooi looking to cement his place in the team fired from 40 metres out but could not trouble Wayne Sandilands, goalless at the 20th minute. The hosts could have opened scoring in the 23rd minute as Joseph Malongoane’s strike came off the crossbar.
Stars who looked dangerous every time they go forward threatened twice with Alton Meiring strike going just wide following by George Mafokeng’s header shaving the post. In what was an action filled first half Arthur Bartman did well to save Lobo’s shot following a superb pass from Jabu Mahlangu. There were no goals at the end of first half despite Stars creating more chances.
Substitute Knowledge Musona made an immediate impression when he replaced Jose Torrealba in the 55th minute. The sensational youngster who has earned himself a nickname “Smiling Assassin” from kaizerchiefs.com released Siphiwe Tshabalala with a superb pass inside the box but was fouled by towering defender, George Mofokeng.
“Shabba” as Tshabalala is affectionately known from Chiefs faithful stepped up and made no mistake from the spot even after referee Mathew Dyer had ordered a retake, 1-0 to the Amakhosi.
Bradley Grobler who replaced former tired, Jabu Mahlangu watched his curler going just over the bar as the hosts looked for an equaliser.
Things went from bad to worse for the hosts as coach; Steve Kompela was given marching orders by uncompromising Mathew Dyer in the 78th minute.
The win which was a relief for Chiefs saw climbing to 8th position having starting the match from 16th spot in the log. They will be looking at consolidating their position inside the top eight bracket when they travel to Bloemfontein Celtic on the 23rd September 2009.
The match previously scheduled for Seisa Ramabudu Stadium has been moved to bigger Vodacom Park.
Chiefs: Bartman, Mmbooi, Jambo, Sweswe, Rooi, Nengomasha, Tshabalala (Yende 90), Motaung Jr. (Nhleko 74), Torrealba (Musona 55), Letsholonyane, Zwane
Substitutes not used: Metsimetsi, Ntuka, Bulu, Sibeko
Technical Team
Vladimir Vermezovic (Head Coach)
Donald Khuse (Assistant Coach)
Rainer Dinkelacker (Goalkeeper Coach)
David Milner (Team Physio)
Stars: Sandilands, Williams, Kgatla, Ntwagae, Molongoane, Ramokala, Lobo, Mahlangu (Grobler 69), Meiring (Norikazu 69, Mofokeng, Thebakang
Substitutes not used: Kapini, Tshabalala, Monareng, Ranteria, Masenya
Technical Team
Steve Kompela (Head Coach)
David Vilakazi (Assistant Coach)
Edgard da Silva (Goalkeeper Coach)
Craig Lewis (Physical Trainer)
Johan Serfontein (Physiotherapist)
Match Officials
Mathew Dyer (Referee)
Lazarus Matela (1st Assistant)
Fikile Mtitsilane (2nd Assistant)
Thabo Nkosi (4th Official)
Robert Pillay (Match Commissioner)