Posted in Match Report, News on Oct 24, 2021.
SuperSport United (1) 1 ( Nj Ngcobo o.g. 45+3’)
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 2 (45+1, 49’)
Kaizer Chiefs ended SuperSport United’s unbeaten start to the season and inflicted a first DStv Premiership league defeat of the campaign on them, with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Atteridgeville Stadium.
Bernard Parker scored a brace, netting in first-half stoppage time and again in the 49th minute to help Chiefs seal a crucial win.
Njabulo Ngcobo was unfortunate to score an own goal on the stroke of half time, after Parker had originally given Chiefs the lead.
On a day full of history for man of the match Parker, Die ‘Hond’ made his 360th appearance for the club, taking his goalscoring tally for Chiefs to 60 goals in all competitions.
The first real sight of goal came for SuperSport 13 minutes in when Sipho Mbule’s corner from the left was flicked just wide of goal by Teboho Mokoena, who rose highest to meet the curling ball, heading it across goal away from Daniel Akpeyi.
After not having much to show in the opening exchanges, Chiefs came up with a great chance on 20 minutes. A wonderful ball from the right from inside in his own half by Keagan Dolly flew over the SuperSport defence, evading Keenan Phillips and Luke Fleurs.
The ball fell to Parker, who drove the ball hard towards goal, with Ronwen Williams scurrying to his left to push the ball away, making a timely save to keep his goal intact.
The hosts went close in the 22nd minute when Mbule’s drive at goal was deflected off Anthony Agay and the ball rolled, inches wide of Akpeyi’s right hand post. SuperSport were lucky to have kept numerical parity in the 36th when Philips knocked down Parker as they went for an aerial ball, but the referee Luxolo Badi opted to just give him a talking to rather than more severe action.
Deep into referees’ optional time at the end of the first half Anthony Akumu fed Dolly the ball, who did well to cut through the SuperSport defence and lay the ball off to Parker who connected sweetly with it, the power carrying it beyond Williams and into the SuperSport net.
The goal saw Bernard Parker notch his 60th goal for Chiefs in all competitions becoming Chiefs’ all-time top scorer in the PSL era in all competitions, going above Siphiwe Tshabalala.
As Chiefs were heading into the break with a lead, Sfiso Hlanti fouled Ghampani Lungu and from the ensuing free kick Mbule swung the ball in from the right and caught the Chiefs defence off guard, as the ball dipped Ngcobo, unfortunately, flicked it past a hapless Akpeyi to make the score 1-1 at the break.
Chiefs did not have to wait long to go back in front in a carbon copy of Amakhosi’s first goal. Dolly again sent a ground ball to his right, where Parker raced ahead of Lungu to get to the ball and this time struck the ball across goal and wide of Williams to put Chiefs 2-1 up.
Chiefs lost Parker with 20 minutes to go as he had to leave the field with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Kearyn Baccus, who made his first league appearance of the season.
Chiefs managed to defend well and were alert from a number of dangerous set-piece situations and held their ground to see out the game. Deep into referees’ stoppage time at the end of the game, Nange drove the ball wide of goal after being set up by Dolly, but it would not prove too costly as Chiefs held on for their second win on the trot.
Chiefs held on to end a five-game winless run against SuperSport United to see Amakhosi move up to fifth place in the standings, as Chiefs now have over ten days off till their next league game. It was Chiefs’ first league win against SuperSport United since December 2018 and their first away league win against them since a 4-1 triumph in September 2015 over six years ago.
Number of the Game 201– Stuart Baxter took his points tally as Chiefs coach to 201 becoming the second Chiefs coach in the PSL era to go beyond the 200 point mark, it was also his fourth win in 7 league games as against SuperSport United as Chiefs coach.
Fact of the Game – Bernard Parker featured in his 265th league game for Chiefs in the PSL era. He becomes Chiefs fourth highest appearance maker in league games, going above Tinashe Nengomasha. He also is now Chiefs’ highest goal scorer in all competitions since 1996-97 with 60 goals.
MVP – Bernard Parker was sublime with his finishing and took his chances well in the midst of an injury crisis at the club. He was set up by Dolly who has been phenomenal in the last three games and carried on from his man of the match performance from the previous game. Anthony Akumu was strong at the back and managed to win what was also expected to be a tough battle against Sipho Mbule and Thamsanqa Gabuza.
What next– Chiefs are next in action when they host Stellenbosch on the 2nd of November. This was Chiefs’ first away win of the season. Amakhosi will be looking to build on this victory.
Line Ups:
SuperSport: 30. R. Williams, 27. K. Philips (Manziba 46’), 25. L. Fleurs, 6. T. Ditlhokwe, 14. O. Bhasera, 17. G. Lungu, 26. J. Donn, 4. T. Mokoena, 9. I. Rayners (Mahachi 85’), 10. S. Mbule, 13. T. Gabuza.
Subs Not Used: 33. S. Xulu, 15. B. Mkhwanazi, 16. T. Mbatha, 23. N. Waiswa, 12. J. Webber, 35. S. Rasebotja.
Cautions: 27. K. Phillips, 26. J Donn
Coach: K. Tembo
Chiefs: 43. D. Akpeyi, 45. N. Blom, 37. Nj Ngcobo, 3. E. Mathoho, 29. T. Dube (Cardoso 66’), 23. S. Hlanti, 5. A. Agay, 24. P. Nange, 25. B. Parker (Baccus 71’), 10. K. Dolly, 11. K. Billiat.(Sekgota 90+4’)
Subs Not Used: 1. B. Petersen, 39. R. Frosler, 12. Nk Ngcobo, 7. L. Kambole, 26. S. Mabiliso, 19. H. Mashiane
Cautions: 5. A. Agay 55’, 6. K. Baccus 74’
Coach: S. Baxter
