Nkhosinathi Nhleko proved to be Kaizer Chiefs hero as he came off the bench to head ‘The Amakhosi’ to victory in the 72nd minute of their ABSA Premiership match against Free State Stars at the Charles Mopeli Stadium in Free State on Saturday evening.

The win pushed Chiefs into sixth place in the standings while Stars remain in the bottom four, in losing to Chiefs, Stars managed to record an unwanted milestone as it signalled their 100th PSL game.

The visitors deserved their win and it was a strong showing from Bafana Bafana midfielders Siphiwe Tshabalala and man of the match Reneilwe Letsholonyane who made all the difference for Chiefs as they created havoc by being able to carve open the Stars defence almost at will, particularly in the second half.

The game began at a quick pace with both teams attacking from the get go. The home team had the perfect opportunity just two minutes into the game to have gone ahead; it was a wonderful cross by Mpho Makola on the right wing which flew to the back post, Jimmy Tau put out a leg to stop the ball but could not prevent it from reaching Stars striker Elder Richartz; his execution was poor as he headed the ball downwards and wide. With the space and time he had Richartz could have done better.

The Amakhosi clearly missed Tinashe Nengomasha during their midweek draw with Aces as he demonstrated just what was missing from Chiefs line up on Wednesday evening, when he battled his way past two Stars defenders down the left. He got the better of them and was able to turn the ball into the danger area which Knowledge Musona managed to make contact with, but his header went over the Stars cross bar, this entire action taking place in the 18th minute.

While there midfielders were largely out of the game when they drew with Aces they managed to hold all the cards for Chiefs in this game, Josta Dladla was key to that and it was he who on 39 minutes sent the ball from the right to the far post where Nengomasha managed to collect and played it to Musona who, when finding no way past the Stars defence, got the ball back to Nengomasha who then managed to find Tshabalala who hit the ball on the volley but his shot could only hit the Stars side netting.

Four minutes before half time Musona and Dladla played a neat one two which culminated with Musona having a go from around 20 yards out once more Mweene was able to make a comfortable save.

The second half began much in the same vein that the first ended with Chiefs on the attack almost immediately after the resumption of play.

In a rare foray up field Jambo was able to collect a long ball on the left. After picking up the ball he passed it in the direction of Motaung Junior but his ball was not accurate and went behind his teammate.

Chiefs eventually got the break that they deserved in the 72nd minute when Tshabalala was able to pick out Musona with a brilliant through ball down the left, the Chiefs striker beat Mensah for pace and then cheekily chipped the ball over Stars keeper Mweene to Nhleko who rose up to head the ball downwards and on its way into the net and proved to be the match winning goal.

Free State Stars (4-4-2): Mweene, Taaibos, Carelse, Mensah, Mdluli, Makola (Motaung 69’), Moholo, Lechesa, Richartz (Madimabe 75’), Mofokeng (Thomo 57’), Ngcobo

Kaizer Chiefs (4-4-2): Bartman, Tau, Sweswe, Jambo, Rooi, Dladla (Yende 90+2), Nengomasha, Letsholonyane, Tshabalala (Nale 87’), Musona, Motaung (Nhleko 62’)