Posted in News on Sep 16, 2007.
Premier Soccer League
Vodacom Loftus Stadium Tshwane
Sunday 16th September 2007
15h00
Playing Conditions: light south westerly wind, temperature at kick off 28 °C
Kaizer Chiefs drew their second game of the season on Sunday afternoon when they played to a goalless draw with SuperSport United in Tshwane.
In a game that was always expected to be a tightly contested affair, Chiefs had the better scoring opportunities.
Just as it was during their last league encounter against Wits, the opposition goalkeeper came up trumps for his team. United’s shot stopper Dennis Onyango made a number of crucial saves to keep his team in the hunt. Onyango denied Chiefs substitute Mabhudi Khenyeza from stealing the points at the death, when he came across goal to save Khenyeza’s drive goal wards in the ninety second minute.
Pelembe draws first blood
Although it was Chiefs who dominated this game, the home team had a glorious opportunity to have taken the lead on 23rd minute. This after Sibusiso Mahlangu picked up the ball on the left of a throwin and sent a perfect cross towards Elias Pelembe. With Khune off his line and the Chiefs defence out of place, Pelembe could only drag his volley wide, this was perhaps the best chance either team had of finding the back of the net in the first half.
Tshabalala tormentor in Chiefs
One of the most electrifying sights of this game was that of Siphiwe Tshabalala in full flight, for storming down the left flank for The Amakhosi as well as generally being a thorn in the SuperSport spine.
The Bafana Bafana man most influential pieces of play saw him in the 15th minute send a looping ball to the back post for Bartlett after the Chiefs skipper had played him into space with a gentle ball out wide. Although Bartlett did well to get to the ball, Onyango was able to block his shot across goal, before Kaizer Junior could get to the ball.
Just past the half hour mark Tshabalala ran onto a pass from Bhasera and sent a pass in towards Bartlett who managed to flick the ball goal
wards, again Onyango read the ball and was able to make a quick reflex save.
Tshabalala’s most telling moment in the game came when he caught the SuperSport defence fast asleep when he played a ball over the top, to David Mathebula who in turn knocked the ball over Onyango who then collided with the Chiefs midfielder. Kaizer Motaung Junior chased after the lose ball but could not get his shot on target and instead hit the ball into the side netting. The number 14’s contributions to the game and his sublime skills were much appreciated by the large crowd at Loftus, who gave Tshabalala a standing ovation when he was substituted in the 75th minute.
Change almost for the better
Fans made their displeasure known when Tshabalala was replaced by David Obua, but the Ugandan soon won over the crowd by getting into the action immediately after entering the fray. Just a minute after being on the field, Obua let fly with an angled shot from distance, and forced his international team mate Onyango into making a save. Two minutes on and Obua and another Chiefs second half substitute linked up well as Obua was able to find Mabhudi Khenyeza in space inside the SuperSport 18 yard area, Onyango again came out on top as he got down to save Khenyeza’s shot.
With eleven minutes remaining, Khenyeza and Bartlett linked up well with a quick one two, Bartlett then played the ball across to Obua who turned and knocked the ball towards goal, Dennis Masina did well to slide across the face of goal and blocked Obua’s shot. In injury time Khenyeza thought he had won the game for Chiefs after Bartlett was able to chest down Jimmy Tau’s cross from the right towards him, Khenyeza out sprinted the SuperSport defence and hit a powerful ball across the goal. This was Onyango’s day and at full stretch managed to grab that ball while on the ground.
Line Up’s:
SuperSport United (4-4-1-1): 31. Denis Onyango, 2. Ricardo Katza, 3. Bongani Khumalo, 4. Tsietsi Mahoa, 6. Siboniso Gaxa, 9. Katlego Mphela, 11. Ellias Pelembe, 14. Calvin Kadi, 20. Rudi Isaacs, 21. Katelgo Mashego, 28. Sibusiso Mahlangu
Substitutions:
In: 12. Fikru Tefera Out: 9. Katlego Mphela 60 min
In: 5. Dennis Masina Out: 14. Calvin Kadi 64 min
In: 10. Maimane Phiri Out: 6. Siboniso Gaxa 82 min
Substitutes not used: 1. Andre Arendse, 7. Daine Klate, 22. Siphiwe Mkhonza, 23. Carlos Chimomole
Cautions: Yellow Card 4. Tsietsi Mahoa ( throwing foot our to bring down Khenyeza) 66 min
Coach: Gavin Hunt
Assistant Coach: Thomas Madigage
Kaizer Chiefs (4-4-2): 32. Itumeleng Khune, 3. Onismor Bhasera, 2. Jimmy Tau, 29. Moketi Tsotetsi, 35. Jonathan Quartey, 8. Tinashe Nengomasha, 12. Thabo Mooki, 24. David Mathebula, 14. Siphiwe Tshabalala, 17. Shaun Bartlett, 7. Kaizer Motaung Junior
Substitutions:
In: 5. Mabhudi Khenyeza Out: 7. Kaizer Motaung Junior 59 min
In: 26. Thuso Phala Out: 24. David Mathebula 69 min
In. 13. David Obua Out: 14. Siphiwe Tshabalala 75 min
Substitutes not used: 1. Markus Bocsker, 4. Cyril Nzama, 18. Arthur Zwane, 33. Ditheko Mototo
Cautions: 3. Onismor Bhasera (two footed tackle on Dennis Masina) 92 min
Coach: Muhsin Ertugral
Assistant Coach: Fani Madida
Goalkeeper Coach: Rainer Dinkelacker
Match Officials:
Referee: Daniel Bennett
Assistant 1: Isaac Arendse
Assistant 2: Lazarus Matela
4th Official: Matthew Dyer
Match Commissioner: Stan Swart
