Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on Oct 06, 2018.
6 October 2018
Kaizer Chiefs 0
Polokwane City (1) 1 (Mngomezulu 45+1’)
Kaizer Chiefs were edged 1-0 by Polokwane City FC in an Absa Premiership game at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night. The sole goal was scored in the first half. It was a disappointing result played in an empty stadium.
Ryan Moon got his first start of the season, while George Maluleka and Mario Booysen were also included in the starting XI.
It was a weird atmosphere at Moses Mabhida Stadium, which is normally so vibrant when Chiefs play at home-away-from-home in Durban. This time, however, the PSL had ordered the game to be played behind closed doors as punishment for the incidents that took place after last season’s Nedbank Cup game between Amakhosi and Free State Stars.
The Glamour Boys got an early chance in the eighth minute when a well-taken corner by Maluleka found Moon’s head, but the lanky striker’s header failed to find the target.
It wasn’t a great game, which was maybe somewhat expected due to the fact that there was no crowd to cheer the players on.
What was not expected, however, was that City would take the lead on the brink of half-time via a long distance shot from outside the box by Vusimusi Mngomezulu.
Chiefs fought hard to get the equaliser in the second half and it was Khama Billiat who looked set to score in the 58th minute from a free-kick taken just outside the box, but the Polokwane City goalkeeper magnificently kept the ball out of the goal.
Coach Giovanni Solinas decided to bring on Gustavo Páez for Moon in the 63rd minute with the intention to change the game.
It was tough going for the Glamour Boys without their 12th man coming behind the team in full force.
Chiefs continued to push for the equaliser, especially during the last 20 minutes of the match, but it didn’t result in any real goalscoring chances.
Key moment in the match:
The key moment was obviously the brilliant long-distance shot from Vusimusi Mngomezulu that curled into the top corner, leaving Itumeleng Khune no chance.
Most Valuable Player (MVP):
It was a tough game for the Glamour Boys, but two players who did well were George Maluleka and Siphelele Ntshangase. However, it was Polokwane City’s defender, Nicolas Motloung who was selected as the Absa Premiership Man of the Match.
What it means:
It means that Kaizer Chiefs are still in third spot on the log table with 14 points from 10 games.
Kaizer Chiefs 11: Khune; Mphahlele, Ngezana, Booysen, Walusimbi; Zuma (Parker 81’), Maluleka, Ntshangase, Billiat; Manyama (Ekstein 75’), Moon (Páez 63’)
Subs not used: Vries, Cardoso, Ntiya-Ntiya, Katsande
Polokwane City 11: Chigova; Mvelase, Motloung, Hlongwane, Nkili; Manaka, Maluleke (Baloyi 92’), Seabi, Booi (Mbonani 87’); Mngomezulu (Musona 70’), Ramagalela
Subs not used: Ndlovu, Ravhuhali, Sikhosana, Tlolane
Next Match:
Kaizer Chiefs’ next Absa Premiership will be the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon, 27 October 2018 (kick-off is at 15:30). There will, however, take place Telkom Knockout Last 16 fixture a week earlier, but the draw hasn’t taken place as yet. Further details will follow.
Kaizer Chiefs 0
Polokwane City (1) 1 (Mngomezulu 45+1’)
Kaizer Chiefs were edged 1-0 by Polokwane City FC in an Absa Premiership game at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night. The sole goal was scored in the first half. It was a disappointing result played in an empty stadium.
Ryan Moon got his first start of the season, while George Maluleka and Mario Booysen were also included in the starting XI.
It was a weird atmosphere at Moses Mabhida Stadium, which is normally so vibrant when Chiefs play at home-away-from-home in Durban. This time, however, the PSL had ordered the game to be played behind closed doors as punishment for the incidents that took place after last season’s Nedbank Cup game between Amakhosi and Free State Stars.
The Glamour Boys got an early chance in the eighth minute when a well-taken corner by Maluleka found Moon’s head, but the lanky striker’s header failed to find the target.
It wasn’t a great game, which was maybe somewhat expected due to the fact that there was no crowd to cheer the players on.
What was not expected, however, was that City would take the lead on the brink of half-time via a long distance shot from outside the box by Vusimusi Mngomezulu.
Chiefs fought hard to get the equaliser in the second half and it was Khama Billiat who looked set to score in the 58th minute from a free-kick taken just outside the box, but the Polokwane City goalkeeper magnificently kept the ball out of the goal.
Coach Giovanni Solinas decided to bring on Gustavo Páez for Moon in the 63rd minute with the intention to change the game.
It was tough going for the Glamour Boys without their 12th man coming behind the team in full force.
Chiefs continued to push for the equaliser, especially during the last 20 minutes of the match, but it didn’t result in any real goalscoring chances.
Key moment in the match:
The key moment was obviously the brilliant long-distance shot from Vusimusi Mngomezulu that curled into the top corner, leaving Itumeleng Khune no chance.
Most Valuable Player (MVP):
It was a tough game for the Glamour Boys, but two players who did well were George Maluleka and Siphelele Ntshangase. However, it was Polokwane City’s defender, Nicolas Motloung who was selected as the Absa Premiership Man of the Match.
What it means:
It means that Kaizer Chiefs are still in third spot on the log table with 14 points from 10 games.
Kaizer Chiefs 11: Khune; Mphahlele, Ngezana, Booysen, Walusimbi; Zuma (Parker 81’), Maluleka, Ntshangase, Billiat; Manyama (Ekstein 75’), Moon (Páez 63’)
Subs not used: Vries, Cardoso, Ntiya-Ntiya, Katsande
Polokwane City 11: Chigova; Mvelase, Motloung, Hlongwane, Nkili; Manaka, Maluleke (Baloyi 92’), Seabi, Booi (Mbonani 87’); Mngomezulu (Musona 70’), Ramagalela
Subs not used: Ndlovu, Ravhuhali, Sikhosana, Tlolane
Next Match:
Kaizer Chiefs’ next Absa Premiership will be the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon, 27 October 2018 (kick-off is at 15:30). There will, however, take place Telkom Knockout Last 16 fixture a week earlier, but the draw hasn’t taken place as yet. Further details will follow.
