Posted in News on Aug 13, 2007.
United who came into the PSL at the start of the 2006- 2007 season, struggled during their first season in the PSL but did manage to do enough to keep their status in the top flight.
United’s off season preparations were hampered by factors away from the field of play. The club have had a number of structural changes which many pundits believe came at the wrong time and it has meant that they have had a few stutters in preparing for the new season.
In contrast Chiefs have had a less turbulent off-season and have been able to get on with the business of being well prepared for the upcoming season.
With all the boardroom changes at Benoni United not much is known about how their pre-season programme progressed. Given the progress made by Chiefs in recent time The Amakhosi should be favourites to emerge with the three points on Wednesday.
Muhsin Ertugral will also be happy with the fact that his team avoided one of the bigger teams on the opening day and have the perfect opportunity to begin the 2007 – 2008 season with a win.
The History
Chiefs and Benoni United do not have a very detailed history as they met for the first time last season and Benoni put up the fight of their lives as they held Chiefs at bay as the teams played out a scoreless draw in September last year.
Things went much better for Chiefs when the teams came face to face in January this year, in what was the second league meeting between the two teams during the 2006 – 2007 season. Chiefs were the hosts on the 14th of January and came out trumps winning the game 2-0 at Loftus, two goals three minutes apart did the trick and earned Chiefs the three points. Scara Ngobese opened the scoring in the 62nd minute nine minutes after coming on as a second half substitute, Kaizer Motaung Junior made certain of the victory with The Amakhosi’s second goal in the 65th minute to see Chiefs through to a historic first win against the Rabbits.
Who to watch out for
Bernard Parker was hailed as Benoni’s best performer from last season as he was credited for some outstanding displays by being called up by Carlos Alberto Parreira to the Bafana Bafana squad.
The 21-year-old Parker won a lot of praise last season for his combatitive play as he added strength up front for his team, a move to a bigger club could be on the offing for Parker should he be able to maintain his form from last season.
Parker seen as some what of a home grown hero for Benoni prior to their move to Durban as he was born on the East Rand of Gauteng close to Benoni in Boksburg, played in both his teams matches against Chiefs last season and was impressive in the second game even though United were on the losing end. Parker managed to have a number of strikes at goal and Chiefs had Rowen Fernandez to thank for keeping this exciting young attack minded player from finding the net.
Match Facts: 10th September 2006 1st Round League
Benoni Premier 0 United Kaizer Chiefs 0
Line Up’s:
Benoni Premier United: 1. N. Tsengsna, 4. G. Mokoena, 25. T. Masilela, 21. T. Yawa, 2. B. Tshabalala, 50. T. Mabaso (28. S. Zwane 60 min), 3. G. Msundla, 14. J. Mahlangu, 17. B. Parker, 18. G. Mhlambi, 15. B. Kgafane (12. K. Loke 46 min)
Kaizer Chiefs: 1. R. Fernandez, 2. J. Tau, 4. C. Nzama, 44. S. Mkhonza, 13. D. Obua (11. E. Ngobese 46 min), 21. P. Mayo, 8. T. Nengomasha, 10. S. Nkosi, 24. D. Mathebula (25. G. Schalkwyk 71 min), 7.K. Motaung Jnr (31. D. Radebe 71 min), 17. S. Bartlett
Referee: Daniel Bennett
Match Facts: 14th January 2007 2nd Round League
Kaizer Chiefs 2 (11. Ngobese 62 min, 7. Motaung 65 min) Benoni Premier United 0
Line Ups:
Kaizer Chiefs:
1. R. Fernandez, 2. J. Tau (28. Spencer 86 min), 4. C. Nzama, 21. P. Mayo, 44. S. Mkhonza, 25. G. Schalkwyk, 27. G. Sibeko (18. Zwane 53 min), 13. D. Obua (11. Ngobese 53 min), 10. S. Nkosi, 8. T. Nengomasha, 7. K. Motaung Jnr,
Benoni Premier United:
29. N. Yobou, 8. T. Mashishi, 25. T. Masilela, 5. R. Konan, 30. J. Sangala, 2. B. Tshabalala, 18. S. Mhlabhi (15. Kgafane 75 min), 14. J. Mahlangu, 19. O. Okafor, 9. A. Adebayo (12. Coke 66 min), 17. B. Parker.
Referee: Abdul Ebrahim