Amakhosi stay top with win over Baroka
Amakhosi stay top with win over Baroka

Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on Sep 29, 2019.

28 September 2019

Kaizer Chiefs               (1) 1 (Manyama 39’)

Baroka                           (0) 0

Amakhosi made it two wins in four days as they defeated Baroka 1-0 in an Absa Premiership game. This was Chiefs’ first win over Baroka at home in four attempts. Lebogang Manyama scored the game’s only goal in the 39th minute. It was his third league goal of the season. Chiefs lost goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune through injury in the first half. His replacement Daniel Akpeyi was equally sturdy in goal making a number of crucial saves ensuring that Amakhosi did not concede on the night as they won at the FNB Stadium for the first time this season in the league.

After all of Chiefs early domination and good inter-passing, Amakhosi almost found themselves behind in the 15th minute as a quick throw in from the left which found Collins Makgaka, who took a quick snap-shot across goal that passed Khune but went wide.

In the 18th minute, Richard Mubulu was sent on his way to goal with a ball over the top, as he bore down on goal, Khune made himself big to block the Baroka attackers shot and send the ball out for a corner. Khune was called into action a minute later as he punched a Baroka corner which looked goal bound clear away from the danger.

That would be the last bit of action for the Chiefs skipper who then went down with an injury around the 25th minute and could not carry on with the game. He was then replaced by Daniel Akpeyi, with Bernard Parker taking over the duties of captain.

Khune was substituted in a league game for Chiefs for the third time in his career.

Akpeyi was called into action after coming on when he made a fine stop in the 30th minute diving full stretch to his left to save a header at point blank range from Makgaka. after he had made contact on a raking ball from the right by Tshediso Patjie. From the save, the Nigerian shot-stopper helped Chiefs launch an attack up the left, with the ball eventually reaching Khama Billiat who attempted to beat Baroka keeper Elvis Chipezeze from a tight angle, but the ball lacked power and he was able to make an easy pick up.

Amakhosi took the lead six minutes before half time through Lebogang Manyama. Chiefs broke down a Baroka attack and Khama Billiat was sent clear down the left he cut the ball square to Lazalous Kambole whose first attempt at goal was blocked by Chipezeze but Manyama was lurking to knock the ball home from a few yards out. Chiefs went in search of a second goal and Billiat was denied from adding to the score when working his way towards goal he tried to slide the ball past Chipezeze but the Baroka stuck out his legs to stop what looked a certain goal.

In referee’s added time at the end of the first half, Chiefs had to make a second injury enforced substitution with midfielder George Maluleka going off and Willard Katsande replacing him.

Three minutes after the restart Bernard Parker was able to float in the ball perfectly towards goal where Kambole was able to ghost in between two defenders and met the ball on the volley, but he sent the ball over goal.  In the 51st minute Kambole managed to make contact with Reeve Frosler’s cross from the left, but Chipezeze was up to it diving to his left to make the stop.

With Chiefs holding a good defensive line they, Bakgakga were resorting to shooting from distance. In the 59th minute Gerald Phiri let go at goal from around 20 yards from goal, Akpeyi stood his ground as he made a routine save. Chiefs on the other end attacked with purpose, Billiat crashing the ball against the up right in the 62nd with a venomous curling ball from distance.

A minute later Chiefs were on the attack again with Kambole testing Chipezeze drawing a save out of him with a testing effort at goal from the right.  Chiefs’ keeper Akpeyi was again tested in the 65th minute as he got off the ground to stop Manuel Kambala’s effort from long range out for a corner.

In the final minutes of the game there two scares for Chiefs; first up Phiri hit the cross bar with a free kick from around 25 yards from goal which flying past the Chiefs keeper, but the woodwork came to the rescue. in referee’s optional time at the end of the game Baroka hit the right hand up-right with substitute Martin Nsimba getting his close-range effort past Akpeyi but not the post.

As Chiefs held on to win their fifth league game of the season and stay top of the Absa Premiership.

Key moment in the match:

Key moment was losing goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune in the 25th minute to injury. This was his second game after nine months of nursing a shoulder injury. Daniel Akpeyi stepped up and performed admirably.

 

Most Valuable Player (MVP):

Amakhosi played as a unit and a few candidates put up their hands to be selected as Man of the Match after the team managed to win another game in a space four days. It was substitute goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi who walked away with the Man of the Match accolade following his spectacular saves and great performance after coming on for Khune in the first half.

 

What it means:

Chiefs win their first game at FNB Stadium this season to stay at the summit of the league. Chiefs have collected 16 points in seven Absa Premiership matches.

 

Fact of the match:

This was Amakhosi’s first home win over Baroka in a league match after hosting them four times. (D1 L2).

 

Line-ups:

Chiefs: Khune © (Akpeyi 27’); Sasman, Mathoho, Cardoso, Frosler; Maluleka (Katsande 45’), Manyama, Parker, Billiat, Baccus (Happy Mashiane); Kambole

Subs not used:  Ngezana, Gordinho, Twala, Castro

Baroka: Chipezeze; Mogwasa, Sibiya ©, Shozi, Ngubane; Kambala (Nsimba 84’). Mabeba (Selemela 73’), Phiri Jnr, Patjie; Mbulu, Makgaka (Mdantsane 64’),

 

Subs not used: Dlamini; Kgoetyane, Ntswane, Madondo

Next Match:

Following Saturday’s win over Baroka, Chiefs’ busy schedule continues as the team will host Lamontville Golden Arrows in three days’ time on Tuesday, 1 October 2019. The match will be played at FNB Stadium. Kick-off is at 19:30.

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