Posted in News on Dec 16, 2018.
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 3 (Zulu 33’, Castro 86’, 90’+2 pen)
Elgeco Plus 0
In their last home game of 2018, Kaizer Chiefs put in a convincing performance to hand Madagascar’s Elgeco Plus a 3-0 first leg defeat in the CAF Confederation Cup first round clash played at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Philani Zulu’s opener and a Leonardo Castro brace put the Glamour Boys in an advantageous position to advance in the continental competition. The away leg in Madagascar awaits.
Chiefs started like a house on fire with a neat passing interchange earning a free-kick which Andriamirado ‘Dax’ Andrianarimanana won inside the first minute of the match.
Khama Billiat took the first shot for Chiefs not long afterwards in the 2nd minute of the match but his shot went wayward. The Zimbabwean international would get another opportunity to score in the 17th minute after getting on the end of a through pass but his shot with the outside of his boot went straight at Eddit.
Billiat would continue to be a threat when he picked himself up to take a free-kick after he was bundled over in the 20th minute. The free-kick was driven low and excellently save day Eddit.
Elgeco had a chance of their own in the 24th minute but Ranaivoson shot straight at Virgil Vries, who comfortably saved the shot. That was closest that Elgeco got to scoring.
Billiat eventually made an impact except this time with an assist as he found Zulu inside the box in the 33rd minute. Zulu blasted in a near post shot in that was too much for Eddit to handle.
‘Dax’ was combative in midfield against his fellow Madagascans as he put in a good shift that included being part of the build-up to Chiefs’ opener.
Castro had a chance to double the lead in the 44th minute but his shot went wide of the target. Chiefs would go into the break 1-0 up.
Billiat continued to be lively in attack as he had the first clear chance in the second half when his left-footed attempt was saved by Eddit in the 52nd minute.
Castro again had an opportunity to score in the 72nd minute when he rounded the goalkeeper after getting onto the end of a through pass but failed to squeeze the ball in with the Elgeco defence quickly providing cover.
After the constant knocking, the doors finally opened for Chiefs in the 86th minute when Castro doubled the lead from close range, burying the ball to his right. This would be Billiat’s second assist of the match.
Billiat made way for Dumsani Zuma in the 88th minute and it didn’t take long for the striker to make an impact. He was brought down in the box in the second minute of stoppage time. Castro took the penalty to the right of the goalkeeper to complete his brace.
The match ended 3-0 to Chiefs who could have scored more in the match while Elgeco did not pose much of a threat..
Key moment in the match:
Castro’s goal to gift Chiefs a 2-0 lead was the goal Chiefs were looking for after relentless pressure to take a decent aggregate lead heading into the second leg. The floodgates soon opened again for Castro to double his tally and take a commanding lead to Madagascar.
Most Valuable Player (MVP):
Khama Billiat posed a constant threat to Elgeco as he made two assists in the match. Teenage Hadebe quietly shone in defence as he could not put a single foot wrong throughout the match. Leonardo Castro’s was resilient as he scored two important goals towards the end of the match. All three players could not be separated in terms of performance in this first leg clash.
Gallery:
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What it means:
A tricky second leg tie awaits. Kaizer Chiefs take a 3-0 first leg lead to Madagascar which they should feel confident to add to the aggregate score. The Madagascans have it all to do in the return leg.
Kaizer Chiefs XI: Vries; Cardoso, Booysen, Hadebe, Walusimbi (Ntshangase 46’); Katsande, captain , Manyama, Andrianarimanana (Parker 57’), Zulu; Billiat (Zuma 88’), Castro
Subs not used: Bvuma, Ekstein, Mahlasela, Ntiya-Ntiya
Elgeco Plus XI: Eddit, Rafelambolasoa, Rakotovelotiana, Ravelonjanahary, Ramahandrison, J. Ranaivoson (Rafenoarisoa 54’), Raveloarisaona, captain (Rakotomalala 89’), N. Ranaivoson, Touvounel, Fanomezana, Raveloarison (Ralaiherinirina 76’)
Subs not used: Lovatiana, Rabearivelo, Rakotonirina, Tolojanahary
Next Match:
Kaizer Chiefs will play the same team in the return leg in Antananarivo in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup first round at Mahasina Municipal Stadium on Saturday, 22 December 2018. Kick-off is at 14:30 local time (13:30 South Africa Time).