Posted in News on Dec 07, 2010.
Sthembiso Ngcobo (11th, 64th) and Siphiwe Tshabalala (72nd) found the back of the net as Chiefs won an unprecedented 13th title in 15 finals since the competition’s inception in 1982. Kaizerchiefs.com looked at how they played on the night.
Itumeleng ‘Spider Kid’ Khune
South Africa’s finest goalkeeper had little to do on Saturday thanks to a solid display from the back four. He still had time to produce the save of the day when he brilliantly denied Happy Jele a few minutes before the break. Chiefs defence did not concede even a single goal during the Telkom Knockout and Itu was one of the reasons for that remarkable achievement.
Jimmy ‘Lion Of Teranga’ Tau
Big V was at his best again closing down Daine Klate. He also gave Chiefs options when going forward and forced Moeneeb Joseph to parry his shot in the second half as Chiefs searched for more goals. Overall the Captain has been outstanding in this tournament.
Punch ‘Cash & Carry’ Masenamela
Punch’s confidence is sky high these days and his daunting runs on the left flank created a lot of problems for Orlando Pirates defence. He also did a good job on Pirates’s speedy winger Dikgang Mabalane.
Thomas ‘Rambo’ Sweswe
Thomas Sweswe was given a start ahead of Dominic Isaacs and the Zimbabweans did not disappoint as he kept opposition strikers at bay. Thomas was solid on the tackle and his distribution on the night was superb.
Valery ‘Bujumbura’ Nahayo
Sporting a new hairdo, clean-shaven Valery Nahayo was superb alongside Thomas Sweswe except for his clearance that went wide of Itumeleng Khune’s goals.
Tinashe ‘The General’ Nengomasha
Tinashe’s experience was key for the Glamour Boys on the night. His tenacity and never-say-die attitude has rubbed off on his teammates. Chiefs dominated the middle of the park and that was one of the keys to the victory and ‘The General’ was in the heart of that.
Reneilwe ‘Black Jesus’ Letsholonyane
The Maestro is the King of Short passing game – a game that is synonymous of all Kaizer Chiefs greatest sides from the 70s. His combination with Tinashe together with the likes of Josta Dladla and Siphiwe Tshabalala was devastating on the night. ‘Yeye’ for the second time in 3 weeks won the battle against Andile Jali.
Josta ‘JD’ Dladla
Like he was on November 13, Josta was again a triumph card for Chiefs on Saturday night. Pirates simple do not have a plan to stop Josta Dladla. He cooled down things in the middle and also attacked with pace when he was required to. ‘JD’ also tracked back to cover for Jimmy Tau when called to do so. His work rate on the night was high.
Knowledge ‘The Smiling Assassin’ Musona
As expected the 20 year old was tightly marked by Orlando Pirates defence but he was still a menace and troubled Pirates’s back four every time he held the ball. Musona did a good job in forcing Moeneeb Joseph into committing a mistake in the 11th minute that resulted in Sthembiso Ngcobo opening the scoring with a well-taken shot.
Sthembiso ‘Valdez’ Ngcobo
Vladimir Vermezovic has been getting a hammering for playing the lanky forward so was Bafana Bafana Coach, Pitso Mosimane. Valdez, voted ‘Man of the Match’ on the night took advantage of Pirates defence focus on Musona by grabbing a brace. His header in the second half was pure class so was the dummy to give Siphiwe Tshabalala his first goal in an open play since the opening day of the World Cup.
Siphiwe ‘Shabba’ Tshabalala
Shabba played his heart out on the night despite his mother’s condition. He also troubled right back, Happy Jele with his trickery. His goal, the third of the night reminded many of the goal he scored against Mexico in the World Cup. The goal was also Shabba’s first in the Soweto derby…that must have been a cherry on top for the Phiri born midfielder.
Subs
Vladimir Vermezovic introduced three subs, Mthokozisi Yende for Josta Dladla, Abia Nale came on for Sthembiso Ngcobo and Kaizer Motaung JR came on for Knowledge Musona…the job was already done by the time these three took the field.
Amakhosi 4 Life!
