Posted in Match Report, News on Nov 25, 2017.
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Parker 67’)
Free State Stars (0) 1 (Cardoso own goal 64’)
Kaizer Chiefs and Free State Stars played to a one-all draw at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night. The visitors opened the score in the 64th minute after which Bernard Parker scored the equaliser three minutes later. It was the 50th goal of ‘Die Hond’ as a Glamour Boy.
Amakhosi got a lot of chances and certainly deserved more than a point.
There was one change in Amakhosi’s starting line-up compared to Wednesday’s match against AmaZulu with Siphiwe Tshabalala coming back into the team, replacing Hendrik Ekstein.
Free State Stars didn’t come to Durban to just sit back in defence and tried to press early, often already on Amakhosi’s half. It even resulted in an early chance for the visitors, but the ball flew past the goal.
Chiefs’ defence, however, was composed with Siyabonga Ngezana, Daniel Cardoso and Teenage Hadebe being the three centre-backs. Stars didn’t get another goalscoring opportunity in the first half.
Amakhosi, meanwhile, took steadily but surely control of the match. The first real chance arrived in the 21st minute, but George Maluleka, who had a fine game, failed to hit the target.
The pressure continued to build on the visitor’s goal. Tshabalala tried to curve the ball into the goal from the right, but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Maluleka looked to have scored a minute later, with the crowd already erupting in celebration, but the ball ended on top of the goal instead of inside.
Gustavo Páez, as usual, made some good off-the-ball runs, while Parker was also keeping the Stars defenders busy.
The first half ended goalless.
The second half was an open affair with both sides trying to attack whenever the opportunity to do so.
A goal finally arrived in the 64th minute, but it was for the opponent, Free State Stars. Daniel Cardoso tried to head away a shot from outside the box, but, somewhat unfortunately, the ball bounced off his head into his own goal.
The ball was again in the back of the net three minutes later. This time it was a goal for Amakhosi. Willard Katsande passed the ball from inside the box to Parker, who neatly slotted the ball past the Stars goalkeeper, 1-1.
The game continued to flow up and down, while the about 10 000 spectators got fully behind Amakhosi, trying to help the Glamour Boys score the winner.
On the other hand, Stars were certainly not without their chances as well and Itumeleng Khune had to stretch himself to make a brilliant save in the 74th minute.
Chiefs were the better side and got the goalscoring opportunities to take the three points, but it wasn’t to be.
Gallery:
[gallery ids="36340,36337,36339,36338"]
Key moment in the match:
A key moment was Bernard Parker’s equaliser in the 67th minute. It was not only an important goal because it helped Amakhosi get a point out of this game, but it was his 50th since joining the club in 2011. Parker has scored 41 league goals, 8 in a cup clash and one in an African Champions League match. He scored his first goal for Chiefs against Bidvest Wits on 7 August 2011.
Most Valuable Player (MVP):
Daniel Cardoso was unlucky to deflect the ball with his head past his own goalkeeper, but the defender had otherwise a solid game in defence. Itumeleng Khune again made some crucial saves to keep his side in the game. However, it was Free Stars’ Sinethemba Jantjie who was selected as the Absa Premiership Man of the Match.
What it means:
Amahosi are now in fifth spot on the Absa Premiership log, having collected 16 points from 12 matches.
Kaizer Chiefs 11: Khune; Hadebe, Cardoso, Ngezana; Molangoane, Katsande, Maluleka, Tshabalala, Zulu (Jayiya 70’); Páez (Zuma 65’), Parker
Subs not used: Khuzwayo, Gordinho, Mathoho, Malope, Ekstein
Free State Stars 11: Sangare; Keita, Mbhele (Mahamutsa 41’), Phungwayo; Mobbie, Maphakisa (Potsane 81’), Masehe, Vilikazi, Jantjie; Dlamini, Abrahms (Mthembu 55’)
Subs not used: Mbambo, Mashego, Abubakar, Mokhuoane
Next Match:
Kaizer Chiefs next play Chippa United on the road at Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday, 6 December. Kick-off is at 19:30.