Weather halts Chiefs and Werder clash
Weather halts Chiefs and Werder clash

Posted in News, Team News, Youth Academy on Jan 07, 2019.

Kaizer Chiefs Reserves played host to Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen at a practice match played at FNB Stadium on Sunday, 6 January. The match was scheduled to be played over four periods of twenty-five minutes.

With the Bundesliga currently on winter break, Werder chose South Africa as their destination for warm weather training before resuming their Bundesliga campaign at Hannover 96 on Saturday, 19 January.

The rain disturbed what was an exciting contest between the two sides. The game was called off after the end of the second quarter with the Germans leading 1-0 through a Johannes Eggestein strike.

Any signs the match was a friendly were discarded when Dumsani Zuma was bundled over in the opening minute of the match when tussling for an aerial ball. The Germans were looking to impose themselves physically early on.

The midfield of Khotso Malope, Kabelo Mahlasela, Andriamirado ‘Dax’ Andrianarimanana and Siphelele Ntshangase dominated the proceedings early on with Mahlasela the chief instigator.

Ryan Moon dispossessed Werder goalkeeper Luca Plogmann and found the back of the net in the 9th minute. However, he was adjudged to have fouled the goalkeeper in his attempts to win the ball.

Werder had their first chance of the match in the 16th minute when Milot Rashica on the right wing delivered a low cross to the far post but Josh Sargent failed to convert.

The Chiefs Reserves central defenders Siyabonga Ngezana and captain Lorenzo Gordinho showed their mettle when dealing with the subsequent Werder attacks. Ngezana dealt with aerial challenges well while Gordinho made numerous well-timed challenges as the first quarter ended goalless.

Bruce Bvuma was finally tested in the second quarter when he comfortably saved Eggestein’s tame shot in the 27th minute.

The nimble footed Mahlasela continued to torment the Werder defence, turning Ludwig Augustinsson in and out before being brought down at the edge of the box. The resulting free-kick taken by Zuma was saved by Plogmann.

In the 39th minute, Zuma freed Mahlasela on the right wing and made himself available in the box to receive the return pass but fired his shot into a pile of bodies.

Four minutes later, the Germans would replicate the same Chiefs Reserves move. Eggestein freed Sargent on the right flank and made himself available in the box to receive the return pass from which he scored to put Werder ahead.

On the stroke of half-time, Bvuma did well to make himself big and deny Augustinsson from doubling Werder’s lead after being put through by Max Kruse. Werder led 1-0 at the break.

Arthur Zwane was preparing wholesale changes for the next two quarters when an approaching storm meant that the match was called off.

Gallery:

 

[gallery ids="38704,38703,38702,38701,38700,38699,38698"]

Chiefs line-up: Bvuma, Moleko, Mirwa, Gordinho, Ngezana; Andrianarimanana, Malope; Ntshangase, Zuma, Mahlasela; Moon

Subs not used: Petersen, Páez, Ngcobo, Jayiya, Twala, Mashiane, Shopane, Thibedi, Rorwana, Blom, Matakanya, Mokwena

Werder line-up: Plogmann, Augustinsson, Langkamp, Moisander, Gebre Selassie; Möhwald, Mbom (Wagner 42’), Kruse; J. Eggestein, Rashica, Sargent

 

Subs not used: Kapino, Beijmo, Pizarro, Kainz, Harnik, Veljkovic, Sahin, Gruev, Klaassen, Philipp, Fruedl, M. Eggestein, Beste

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