A superb 39th minute strike from Abia Nale gave Kaizer Chiefs a 1-0 victory at Absa Stadium in Durban on Thursday night.

The well orchestrated victory saw the Amakhosi closing the gap between themselves and Supersport United by seven points with three games to go. Supersport United on the other side stuttered at Loftus as they could only manage a draw.

Kaizer Chiefs coach, Muhsin Ertugral kept the same team that did the job against Bay United but it was the visitors, Mamelodi Sundowns who had a brighter start when Diyo Sibisi forced goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune to make a good save inside the first five minutes of the game.

The Glamour Boys led by Siphiwe Tshabalala and silky midfielder, David Mathebula started to play their normal game putting the visitors on the back foot.

Sundowns could have opened the scoring towards the end of the first half when young Bongane Thwala found himself with only Itumeleng Khune but found the Ventersdorp born in an uncompromising mood as he pulled a good save with Thwala firing from a close range, 0-0 at Absa Stadium.

In the 39th minute, Abia Nale gave Chiefs a lead when he scored with a neat right foot following a superb pass from David Mathebula, 1-0 to Chiefs.

The Amakhosi who dominated the first half deservedly went to the break leading by 1-0.

David Mathebula who had a game of his life came close to scoring on two accessions; first he forced Brian Baloyi to make a spectacular save from a free kick outside the 18 area. On the second occasion following some neat touches involving Siphiwe Tshabalala, Chiefs no. 24 turned Sundowns inside out inside the box before sending a beautiful curler that went just wide of Brian Baloyi’s goals.

Sundowns defender, Vuyo Mere was lucky to remain on the field as he fouled charging Abia Nale in the 75th minute.

The dreadlocked striker received a ball next to halfway line with Sundowns in sixes and sevens but was fouled by Vuyo Mere who escaped with a caution.

Minutes before that, David Mathebula and Wayne Matle had combined brilliantly to clear Collins Mbesuma’s goal bound shot.

David Mathebula received a huge applause from the fans as he made way for Gerald Sibeko in the 86th minute.

Sundowns tried to claw their way back but could not break down the well marshalled defence by Valery Nahayo and Dominic Isaacs. The latter was in the end rewarded with a Man of the Match award for his faultless performance.

Muhsin Ertugral and his boys remained on third spot and will on Saturday, 2 May 2009 travel to Coca Cola Park for the mouth-watering Soweto Derby.

Chiefs: Khune, Matle, Bhasera, Isaacs, Nahayo, Nengomasha (Capt.), Dladla (Torrealba 66), Mathebula (Sibeko 86), Nale (Zwane 83), Motaung Jr., Tshabalala

Subs appearances: Gerald Sibeko, Jose Torrealba, Arthur Zwane

Goal : Abia Nale

Substitutes not used: Baron, Quartey, Nkambule, Bulu

Technical Team

Muhsin Ertugral (Head Coach)


Fani Madida (Assistant Coach)


Rainer Dinkelacker (Goalkeeper Coach)


Adil Bhodania (Team Doctor)

Sundowns: Baloyi, Mere, Mpangase, Spencer, Johannes, Gaxa, Lentjies (Phala 62), Thwala, Mngomeni, Mpela (Mbesuma 63), Sibisi

Substitutes not used: Mabokgwane, Mmotong, Nyandoro, Acuna, Booth

Technical Team

Ted Dumitru (Caretaker Coach)


Alex Heredia (Goalkeeper Coach)


Saki Ngwevela (Physiotherapist)


Arnold Human (Team Doctor)

Match Officials

Jerom Damon (Referee)


Yugesh Anjith (1st Assistant)


Johannes Mosidi (2nd Assistant)


P. Ndaba (4th Official)


Steve Goddard (Match Commissioner)