Posted in Match Report, News on May 17, 2017.
17 May 2017
Kaizer Chiefs 0
Platinum Stars (2) 2 (Mathe 22’, Mkhabela 44’)
What Happened?
Kaizer Chiefs had a difficult first half followed by a much improved second half against Platinum Stars on Wednesday evening. However, the damage was done during the first 45 minutes when the home side scored twice. Amakhosi fought hard to come back after the break, but it wasn’t to be.
Willard Katsande and Siphiwe Tshabalala returned to Amakhosi’s line-up for the Dikwena game. The Zimbabwean was suspended for last Saturday’s 1-0 loss against Polokwane City, while ‘Shabba’ was out injured with a muscle strain.
Gustavo Páez, meanwhile, got a rare start, being preferred by coach Steve Komphela for this game, relegating Bernard Parker to the bench.
The home side started like a house on fire, creating several good opportunities to open the score, but Itumeleng Khune was in fine form, blocking the ball each time from hitting the back of the net.
Eventually, Stars scored in the 22nd minute. Gerald Phiri delivered a fine cross from the right, which was headed in beautifully by Solomon Mathe, leaving Khune no chance.
Thereafter, Chiefs had most of the ball possession, but it didn’t result in any real goalscoring opportunities.
To make matter worse, Glamour Boy Enocent Mkhabela, who is on loan from Amakhosi to Dikwena, netted Stars’ second goal in the 44th minute after a fine cross from former Chiefs player Sehloho (Abia) Nale, again from the right, 0-2.
The second half was better with Amakhosi trying to go forward with more venom, even though it didn’t result in too much danger for the home side.
That’s when coach Komphela decided to make a change in the hope to alter the direction of the game, bringing on an offensive player, William Twala, for a defender, Erick Mathoho.
Chiefs certainly played better in the second half, putting more pressure on the defence of the home side.
However, Amakhosi couldn’t find the back of the net and the score stayed 0-2.
Key moment in the match:
The key moment must be Platinum Stars’ first goal in the 22nd minute thanks to a well-directed header from veteran Solomon Matha. That’s when the home side got 1-0 up after they spilled some fine goalscoring opportunities early on. From there on, Kaizer Chiefs played catch-up.
Most Valuable Player (MVP):
Stars’ Solomon Mathe was selected as the Absa Premiership Man of the Match. On Amakhosi’s side, Itumeleng Khune was probably Chiefs’ best man, thanks to several excellent saves in the first half. In the second half, however, there wasn’t much to do for ‘Itu’.
What it means:
The loss means that Kaizer Chiefs are still in fifth position on the Absa Premiership log, having collected 47 points from 29 games. That’s one point behind fourth positioned SuperSport United, which lost 3-0 to Chippa United on Wednesday. There is still one league match left to play.
Kaizer Chiefs 11: Khune; Mphahlele, Mathoho (Twala 55’), Gordinho, Masilela (Moon 80’); Ekstein, Katsande, Maluleka, Lebese (Molangoane 67’); Tshabalala, Páez
Subs not used: Bvuma, Cardoso, Twala, Molangoane, Letlotlo, Moon, Parker
Platinum Stars 11: Hoffman; De Jongh, Sithole, Mkhabela, Mphahlele; Nale (Links 68’), Mere, Mathe, Phiri (Tshabalala 78’); Shilongo, Ntuli (Mwedihanga 83’)
Subs not used: Chibwe, Gwabeni, Khunou, Botes
Next Match: Next up for Kaizer Chiefs is the last game of the 2016/2017 season. It concerns an Absa Premiership game against Bidvest Wits at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 27 May (kick-off is at 15:00). The Clever Boys have already won the league title.
Kaizer Chiefs 0
Platinum Stars (2) 2 (Mathe 22’, Mkhabela 44’)
What Happened?
Kaizer Chiefs had a difficult first half followed by a much improved second half against Platinum Stars on Wednesday evening. However, the damage was done during the first 45 minutes when the home side scored twice. Amakhosi fought hard to come back after the break, but it wasn’t to be.
Willard Katsande and Siphiwe Tshabalala returned to Amakhosi’s line-up for the Dikwena game. The Zimbabwean was suspended for last Saturday’s 1-0 loss against Polokwane City, while ‘Shabba’ was out injured with a muscle strain.
Gustavo Páez, meanwhile, got a rare start, being preferred by coach Steve Komphela for this game, relegating Bernard Parker to the bench.
The home side started like a house on fire, creating several good opportunities to open the score, but Itumeleng Khune was in fine form, blocking the ball each time from hitting the back of the net.
Eventually, Stars scored in the 22nd minute. Gerald Phiri delivered a fine cross from the right, which was headed in beautifully by Solomon Mathe, leaving Khune no chance.
Thereafter, Chiefs had most of the ball possession, but it didn’t result in any real goalscoring opportunities.
To make matter worse, Glamour Boy Enocent Mkhabela, who is on loan from Amakhosi to Dikwena, netted Stars’ second goal in the 44th minute after a fine cross from former Chiefs player Sehloho (Abia) Nale, again from the right, 0-2.
The second half was better with Amakhosi trying to go forward with more venom, even though it didn’t result in too much danger for the home side.
That’s when coach Komphela decided to make a change in the hope to alter the direction of the game, bringing on an offensive player, William Twala, for a defender, Erick Mathoho.
Chiefs certainly played better in the second half, putting more pressure on the defence of the home side.
However, Amakhosi couldn’t find the back of the net and the score stayed 0-2.
Key moment in the match:
The key moment must be Platinum Stars’ first goal in the 22nd minute thanks to a well-directed header from veteran Solomon Matha. That’s when the home side got 1-0 up after they spilled some fine goalscoring opportunities early on. From there on, Kaizer Chiefs played catch-up.
Most Valuable Player (MVP):
Stars’ Solomon Mathe was selected as the Absa Premiership Man of the Match. On Amakhosi’s side, Itumeleng Khune was probably Chiefs’ best man, thanks to several excellent saves in the first half. In the second half, however, there wasn’t much to do for ‘Itu’.
What it means:
The loss means that Kaizer Chiefs are still in fifth position on the Absa Premiership log, having collected 47 points from 29 games. That’s one point behind fourth positioned SuperSport United, which lost 3-0 to Chippa United on Wednesday. There is still one league match left to play.
Kaizer Chiefs 11: Khune; Mphahlele, Mathoho (Twala 55’), Gordinho, Masilela (Moon 80’); Ekstein, Katsande, Maluleka, Lebese (Molangoane 67’); Tshabalala, Páez
Subs not used: Bvuma, Cardoso, Twala, Molangoane, Letlotlo, Moon, Parker
Platinum Stars 11: Hoffman; De Jongh, Sithole, Mkhabela, Mphahlele; Nale (Links 68’), Mere, Mathe, Phiri (Tshabalala 78’); Shilongo, Ntuli (Mwedihanga 83’)
Subs not used: Chibwe, Gwabeni, Khunou, Botes
Next Match: Next up for Kaizer Chiefs is the last game of the 2016/2017 season. It concerns an Absa Premiership game against Bidvest Wits at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 27 May (kick-off is at 15:00). The Clever Boys have already won the league title.
