Posted in News on Oct 27, 2015.
AmaZayoni started the game well, having more possession of the ball, but they failed to get dangerous in the last third of the pitch. Still, it looked as if the visitors wanted to make amends for their 2-1 loss against Chiefs in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinal on Saturday.
However, the more the game progressed, Amakhosi took control of the game, especially in the midfield with Lucky Baloyi again doing well in the holding role, keeping Willard Katsande on the bench.
Aces basically had only one chance in the first half, when Lebogang Manyama’s shot from outside the box was deflected over the crossbar, to the relief of Itumeleng Khune.
It was Abraw who found the net against Aces, like he did in Saturday’s Telkom Knockout game, heading the ball in perfectly after an excellent ball from George Lebese from the left.
And, again, the Togolese striker in the 32rd minute, as he did on Saturday, ran into the arms of Chiefs assistant coach Doctor Khumalo to celebrate.
Chiefs could have scored another in the 42nd minute, but Edward Manqele failed to find the target from close range.
The second half started more or less like the first, with Aces trying to come back into the game without really succeeding in doing so.
It was Abraw who came close to scoring his second in the 63rd minute when his powerful shot from just outside the box was only just saved by the Aces goalkeeper.
Coach Steve Komphela decided to make a change in the 67th minute, bringing in Katsande for Reneilwe Letsholonyane.
From the 75th minute, Khune was tested on three occasions by Aces inside two minutes. Each time the goalkeeper’s excellent reaction cared that the ball didn’t end up in the back of the net, the best of which was keeping Collins Mbesuma’s header out of the goal from close range. It was Khune in great form.
The Chiefs goalkeeper was selected as the Man of the Match for his superb performance.
Amakhosi fully deserved the three points, having now 14 points from eight matches.
Chiefs’ next game is at home against Orlando Pirates in an Absa Premiership match at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon, 31 October (kick-off is at 15:30).
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1 (Abraw 32’)
Black Aces 0
Kaizer Chiefs: Khune; Gaxa, Mathoho, Bukenya, Masilela; Manqele (Parker 78’), Baloyi, Letsholonyane (Katsande 67’), Lebese (Maluleka 73’); Tshabalala, Abraw
Black Aces: Walters; Kobola (Matsi 46’), Mzava, Hendricks, Nonyane; Tukane, Khuboni, Mashikinya (Modiba 62’), Manyama; Mbesuma, S. Masina (Moseamedi 81’)