Posted in Match Report, News on Sep 13, 2017.
Cape Town City 0
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 2 (Tshabalala 47’, Meyiwa 82’)
What Happened?
Kaizer Chiefs beat Cape Town City 2-0 in an Absa Premiership match on Wednesday evening. It was an impressive win for Amakhosi thanks to goals from Siphiwe Tshabalala and the young debutant, Wiseman Meyiwa.
Coach Steve Komphela sent three starting debutants into the field, Philani Zulu, Bongolethu Jayiya and the 17-year-old Meyiwa. That was mostly due to a number of players injured, including Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Tsepo Masilela, Sibusiso Khumalo and Teenage Hadebe, while Erick Mathoho was suspended.
Willard Katsande, meanwhile, started in his 200th match for Amakhosi, which is a major achievement.
There were chances for both sides in the first half, with the game flowing up and down. The home side had an early set-back when the veteran Teko Modise got injured early into the match and had to be replaced by Sibusiso Masina.
However, before Modise had to leave the pitch, Zulu and Kgotso Moleko got some good opportunities to open the score, but they couldn’t get the ball past the City goalkeeper.
There was another fine chance in the 27th when Gustavo Páez shot the ball over the crossbar after a nicely weighted through-ball from Tshabalala.
Jayiya also got an opportunity, but he hit the upright just before half-time.
Chiefs, however, stayed positive and it was just after the break that Tshabalala finally found the back of the net after an excellent cross from Zulu.
Itumeleng Khune was excellent in goal, making numerous fine saves.
On the other hand, George Maluleka, who worked hard in midfield, got a chance to extend the lead, but it wasn’t to be.
Amakhosi, however, did well whenever in possession of the ball, and, in the end, it was the impressive young Meyiwa, who scored the second goal from close range after a good pass from Maluleka in the 82nd minute.
It was a fine win for Chiefs, the first of this Absa Premiership season and the performance bodes well for the rest of the season.
Key moment in the match:
That must be the moment when Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the game’s opener in the 47th minute shortly after the break and it must have come as a huge relief for the team after the recent disappointing results.
Most Valuable Player (MVP):
It must have been close between Willard Katsande and Itumeleng Khune who would get the Man of the Match award. Katande was, as usual, fighting in the centre of the park, winning numerous balls. However, in the end it was given to Khune and deservedly so. The goalkeeper made a few crucial saves and showed leadership in defence.
What it means:
The win means that Chiefs move to ninth position on the Absa Premiership log, having gained four points from three matches. That’s three points behind log leaders Maritzburg United and Orlando Pirates, who are both on seven points.
Cape Town City 11: Stephens; Kobola (Mkhize 78’), Gumede, Johannes, Dove; Patosi, Matsi, Nodada, Lakay (Moseamedi 71’); Modise (Masina 18’), Majoro
Subs not used: Walters, Fielies, Seedat, Koapeng
Kaizer Chiefs 11: Khune; Gordinho, Katsande, Cardoso; Moleko, Maluleka, Meyiwa (Buchanan 89’), Jayiya (Twala 68’), Zulu; Tshabalala, Páez (Parker 76’)
Subs not used: Khuzwayo, Molangoane, Chirambadare, Ekstein
Next Match: Kaizer Chiefs will now host Bidvest Wits at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 16 September (kick-off is at 18:00).