Kaizer Chiefs (2) 3 (Masango 18’ Nkhatha 33’ 85’)


Black Africa 0

A brace by Kingston Nkhatha helped Kaizer Chiefs to a comfortable 3-0 win over Black Africa in the first leg of the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday evening.

Mandla Masango also found the back of the net.

Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter made no fewer than five changes to the side that beat SuperSport United 1-0 in midweek.

Baxter chose to rest some of his first-team regulars, with the likes of Bernard Parker, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Willard Katsande and Reneilwe Letsholonyane included on the bench.

Erick Mathoho, George Maluleka, Siyabonga Nkosi, Mandla Masango and Kingston Nkhatha were included in the starting line-up. Siboniso Gaxa continued at left back, and Kgotso Moleko subsequently filled in at right back.

After a sustained spell of pressure that saw the Amakhosi send a couple of attempts just wide of Arnold Subeb’s goal, the home side took the lead through Mandla Masango in the 18th minute.

Masango met Knowledge Musona’s pin-point cross on the volley to net the Glamour Boys’ first goal in the Champions League since 2005.

George Lebese had a shot cleared off the line by Marvin Katire in the 31st minute, but two minutes later Kingston Nkhatha doubled the hosts’ lead with a superb effort.

The Zimbabwean marksman, who has successfully silenced the boo boys, sent a powerful effort from range past Subeb.

Chiefs continued to dominate proceedings and were it not for a couple of last-ditch tackles by the current Namibian Premiership champions, the scoreline would’ve made even better reading for the Amakhosi faithful.

Chiefs looked to continue the onslaught after the interval, but found it more difficult to break down the Lively Lions' defence.

Nkhatha, though, would have felt he should have done better on the hour mark. The former Black Leopards striker could only manage to direct his curling effort from inside the area straight at a grateful Subeb following a divine bit of interplay between himself, Matthew Rusike and Knowledge Musona.

Rusike then failed to add a third in the 66th minute after being sent straight through on goal, Subeb with a comfortable save to his left to deny the speedster.

Nkhatha completed his double in the 85th minute following a howler by the Black Stars shot stopper. The Amakhosi striker showed great persistence to chase down a long ball forward by Itumeleng Khune before heading it over an onrushing Subeb, who mistimed his jump, and tapping in from close range.

The second leg will be played at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek on 15 February.

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune; Moleko, Mathoho, Mashamaite, Gaxa, Maluleka, Nkosi, Masango (Tshabalala 73’), Lebese (Rusike 46’), Musona (Parker 68’), Nkhatha

Black Africa: Subeb; Angula, Martin (Adams 84’), Gebhardt, Katire, Mundjanima, Hoaseb, Bantam, Blom (Van Wyk 58’) , Stephanus, Katjiteo (Eugene 77’)