Moon helps Chiefs to a point
Moon helps Chiefs to a point

Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on Feb 03, 2018.

3 February 2018

 

Kaizer Chiefs                                (1) 1 (Moon 41’)   

Bidvest Wits                                 (0) 1 (Majoro 54’)

Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits played to a 1-1 draw in an Absa Premiership match at Bidvest Stadium on Saturday night. Ryan Moon netted the game’s opening goal in the first half after which Lehonolo Majoro equalised in the second half.

Gustavo Páez and Erick Mathoho replaced respectively Dumsani Zuma and the suspended Teenage Hadabe in the starting line-up compared to last week’s draw against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The small Bidvest Wits Stadium was packed to capacity which created a lovely atmosphere.

The home side had most of the ball possession in the first half, getting eight corners. Chiefs, on the other hand, had a tough first half, not creating much in the sense of goalscoring chances.

The Amakhosi defence, however, was solid and well-led by Daniel Cardoso.

Wits got a few chances, but out of seven opportunities they got in the first half, only one was on target. That was a shot on goal from the Ghanaian defender Edwin Gyimah, but it was well blocked by goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune from hitting the back of the net.

It was Chiefs that scored in the 41st minute with Ryan Moon excellently heading in a cross from the left by Siphiwe Tshabalala. It was the striker’s third goal in Amakhosi’s last four matches.

That was also the half-time score.

Amakhosi played better in the second half, but it was now the host team that netted the equaliser in the 54th minute. It was former Glamour Boy, Lehlonoholo Majoro who headed the ball past Khune.

Moon had a nice opportunity to head in his second, but the ball went past the wrong side of the upright.

Rain started to pour down during the last 15 minutes of the game.

The match was flowing up and down with both sides trying to win it. However, again, there weren’t too many goalscoring chances for both sides.

Siphelele Ntshangase, who had come on for Gustavo Páez, got a great opportunity to net the winner in the 84th minute, but Wits goalkeeper Darren Keet made a fine save. He was called in action barely a minute later again when another substitute, Leonardo Castro, seemed to have the winner on his feet.

In the end, the one-all draw was probably a fair result.

Key moment in the match:

That must certainly be the moment when Kaizer Chiefs scored from basically their first chance. It was a beauty. Siphiwe Tshabalala delivered a well-weighted cross from the left in the 41st minute after which Ryan Moon headed in the ball beautifully.

Most Valuable Player (MVP):

Ryan Moon scored a crucial goal. Daniel Cardoso delivered a fine performance and Itumeleng Khune made a few important saves, while Leonardo Castro and Siphelele Ntshangase both had an impact after coming on. However, it was Bidvest Wits’ Daylon Claasen, who was eventually selected as the Man of the Match.

What it means:

Amakhosi are still in third spot on the Absa Premiership log, having collected 31 points from 20 games, which is seven points behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Kaizer Chiefs 11: Khune; Ngezana, Cardoso, Mathoho; Moleko (Jayiya 71’), Katsande, Maluleka, Tshabalala, Zulu (Castro 64’); Páez (Ntshangase 53’), Moon

Subs not used: Khuzwayo, Mphahlele, Meyiwa, Zuma

Bidvest Wits 11: Keet; Hlatshwayo, Khumalo, Mkhwanazi, Hlanti; Myeni, Gyimah, Weidlich (Monare 40’), Claasen; Keene (Rodgers 86’), Majoro (Mhango 67’)

Subs not used: Josephs, Pule, Motshwari, Mncwango

Next Match:

Kaizer Chiefs will next host Golden Arrows in a Nedbank Cup Last 32 fixture at FNB Stadium on Sunday, 11 February. Kick-off is at 15:30.

 

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