23 FEBRUARY 2019

Kaizer Chiefs                            ​ (1) 1 (Cardoso, pen 15’)

Polokwane City                         ​ (1) 1 (Musona 21’)

Kaizer Chiefs and Polokwane City shared the points in an Absa Premiership match played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Daniel Cardoso opened the score from the penalty spot, while Walter Musona equalised for Rise and Shine. Both goals were scored in the first half.

Bernard Parker was the captain again and Khama Billiat came back into the starting line-up for the encounter against City.

Chiefs played in a 3-5-2 formation with the three centre-backs being Kgotso Moleko, Daniel Cardoso and Teenage Hadebe. The wingers were Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya (on the right) and Philani Zulu (left) respectively.

There was a great atmosphere at the Peter MokabaStadium with an attendance of more than 25 000 and, as usual, with the Amakhosi supporters by far in the majority.

There was some good play during the first 15 minutes, but little real penetration from both sides, although Billiat looked lively.

Another one who did well was Hendrick Ekstein and it was the skillful midfielder who created the penalty – he crossed the ball, from inside the right side of the box, only to find the arm of Nicolas Motloung. Daniel Cardoso came forward from the back to easily put the ball past the City goalkeeper, 1-0.

It was Cardoso’s third goal from the spot in as many games, two in the league and one in a cup clash.

A few minutes later, Billiat nearly scored the second, with his curved shot at goal just going wide via the back of a defender.

Somewhat out of nowhere, City came back into the gamein the 21st minute. Walter Musona released a shot from outside the box, which bounced just in front of goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi. The Nigerian couldn’t get hold of the ball and it was 1-all.

Amakhosi continued to be the better side with Parker often involved in most of the attacking moves.

Ekstein nearly made it 2-1 on the brink of half-time, but his shot from inside the box just flew wide of goal.

Coach Ernst Middendorp brought on Dumsani Zuma for Ekstein at the start of the second half.

Chiefs dominated possession from the start of the second half, even though it didn’t result in any immediate goalscoring opportunities.

Ramahlwe Mphahlele came on for Zulu in the 56th minute. ‘Rama’ went to play on the right wing, while Ntiya-Ntiyamoved to the other side.

There was a lovely chipped ball into the box by Billiat in the 71st minute, but Zuma just took a little bit too long to get a shot at goal, which gave City’s defender time to intervene.

Mphahlele had a fine performance after coming on, whipping a few excellent crosses into the box from the right.

To try and get the goal, Middendorp decided to replace Ntiya-Ntiya with striker Ryan Moon.

There was another great ball by Mphahlele into the box, this time from slightly deeper in midfield, to Zuma, whose header on goal was brilliantly knocked over the goal by the City goalkeeper.

Chiefs were pushing hard for the winner in the final stage of the game, creating a lot of danger in the box of the home side.

The goal just didn’t want to come and, as a consequence, the match ended in a 1-all draw.

Key moment in the match:

Like last week, a penalty for Kaizer Chiefs opened the score. This time it was Hendrick Ekstein who crossed the ball from the right while being inside the box, only to find the arm of Nicolas Motloung. The referee immediately pointed to the spot after which Daniel Cardoso slotted the ball home.

Most Valuable Player (MVP):

Khama Billiat had a good start to the game, although he faded a little later on, while Bernard Parker also did well. Teenage Hadebe had a fine game in defence again.Ramahlwe Mphahlele, meanwhile, created much danger from the right side after coming on in the second half. The Man of the Match award, however, was given to Polokwane City’s Sibusiso Mbonani.

What it means:

Amakhosi are in sixth position on the Absa Premiership log with 29 points from 21 matches.

Kaizer Chiefs 11: Akpeyi; Moleko, Cardoso, Hadebe;Ntiya-Ntiya (Moon 83’), Maluleka, Ntshangase, Parker, Zulu (Mphahlele 56’); Ekstein (Zuma 46’), Billiat

Subs not used: Bvuma, Ngezana, Andrianarimanana, Frosler

Polokwane City 11: Chigova; Mvelase, Mbonani, Motloung, Hlongwane; Musona(Manaka 80’), Phiri, Seabi, Maluleka; Mashumba (Mngomezulu 66’), Booi (Anas 84’)

Subs not used: Phali, Sikhosana, Maponyane, Mphambaniso

Next Match:

Kaizer Chiefs will host Highlands Park in an Absa Premiership fixture at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, 2 March. Kick-off is at 18:00.