Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on May 20, 2023.
Kaizer Chiefs (0)
Cape Town City (1)
(Mdantsane 9’)
DStv Premiership, FNB Stadium
Kaizer Chiefs ended the 2022/23 DStv Premiership campaign in fifth place after Cape Town City pocketed a 1-0 win over Amakhosi on the final day of the season at FNB stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Mduduzi Mdantsane scored the only goal of a fairly dour encounter, in which the visitors were reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Taaariq Fielies for a nasty tackle on Ashley Du Preez before half-time.
Chiefs took the initiative from the opening whistle with the firm intention of finishing the season on a positive note, and pressed the Citizens back from the get-go.
However, City took the lead in the 9th minute when Mark Van Heerden’s long throw fell to the feet of Fielies inside the home penalty area. The defender managed to slip the ball to Mdantsane, who side-footed the ball past Itumeleng Khune for what proved to be the pivotal moment of the game.
Amakhosi immediately tried to hit back and Yusuf Maart tested Darren Keet in the City goal from 25 yards. Shortly afterwards, Du Preez went close as his long range volley whistled just over the crossbar.
The unfortunate Du Preez was the victim of a horrid foul by Fielies in the 34th minute, which earned the Cape Town City skipper a straight red card from referee, Moses Kheswa.
Du Preez soldiered on bravely for the next 10 minutes but succumbed to his injury in the 44th minute, to be replaced by Khama Billiat, returning from long-term injury.
The Zimbabwean striker had a shout for a penalty turned down when his header appeared to strike the arm of Thamsanqa Mkhize in first-half stoppage time, and Chiefs went into the break a goal behind.
Billiat did not re-emerge at the start of the second half, with Mdu Shabalala substituting the substitute.
The teenager immediately injected a sense of urgency in the home team’s approach and his energetic involvement led to half-chances for Christian Saile and Samkelo Zwane, who both saw goal bound efforts deflected wide for corners.
With City a man light and defending a fragile lead, the second half was generally one-way traffic, as Amakhosi probed and prodded for gaps in the defensive shield set out in front of them.
City were able to keep Chiefs out until the final whistle to clinch fourth place in the league standings.
The result means that City will have home advantage in next season’s MTN8 quarterfinal between these two teams.
Line-ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Khune © (32), Hlanti (23) (Mashiane (19)59’), Nj Ngcobo (27), Ngezana (30), Frosler (39), Sithebe (6), Zwane (37), Maart (8), Solomons (18), Du Preez (9) (Billiat (11) 44’ (Shabalala (42) 45’), Basomboli (21)
Subs not used: Bvuma (44); Mathoho (3), Dube (29), Kwinika (4), Nange (24)
Coach: Arthur Zwane
Cape Town City: Keet (16); Mokeke (3), Fielies © (12), van Heerden (13), Cupido (15), Mokhuoane (6) (Slatsha (44) 76’), Mdantsane (10) (Mkhize (2) 40’), Nodada (26) (Mani (21)59’), Rhodes (23) (Lakay (24) 76’), Mendoza Gonzales (20)(Goedeman (27) 76’), Mayo (11)
Subs not used: Mpandle (31), Sifumba (40), Daniels (41), Diana-Oliaro (47)
Coach: Eric Tinkler
