Gauteng Sports Challenge

At Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville

Moroka Swallows 0

Kaizer Chiefs faithful came in numbers to watch their side ease past Moroka Swallows 3-0 in the semifinals of Gauteng Sports Challenge played at Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Saturday afternoon.

Chiefs goals were scored by substitute Lehlohonolo ‘Mr Goals’ Majoro, Bernard ‘Bernito’ Parker and another substitute, George ‘Whatsup’ Lebese in what was an entertaining encounter for the supporters.

The Glamour Boys of South African football will now meet Bidvest Wits who beat locals SuperSport United by 1-0.

Head Coach, Stuart Baxter got an opportunity to test drive his side after working with the players from the 28th June 2012.

The Glamour Boys paraded the new signings with no nonsense defender, Morgan Gould partnering the towering, Eric Mathoho in the heart of defence; hard working Siboniso Gaxa occupied the rightback spot, while creative genius Siyabonga Nkosi wearing the no. 10 jersey partnered industrious Reneilwe Letsholonyane in the heart of the midfield. Kingston Nkatha played as a lone strikerupfront supported by Bernard Parker in an advanced 4-2-3-1.

The new look Chiefs started the stronger of the two sides with midfielder, Siyabonga Nkosi coming close to scoring inside five minutes while Bernard Parker proved to be handful for the opposition defence in the opening stages.

Kingston Nkatha came close to opening his account for the Glamour Boys with his shot sailing just wide in the 33rd minute he was unfortunately replaced by Lehlohonolo Majoro few minutes later after picking up an unfortunate knock.

In the 43rd minute substitute Majoro sent the stadium wild when he finished off Dladla’s pass with a superb strike, 1-0 to Chiefs.

He should have scored a second one a minute later when Siyabonga Nkosi laid a sublime pass but Aubrey Mathibe thwarted the striker, 1-0 at halftime.

The Glamour Boys lost a second player in the game when Siphiwe Tshabalala was replaced by George Lebese in the 55th minute following an overzealous tackle from substitute, Felix Obada.

Eric Mathoho made Aubrey Mathibe to work in the 56th minute when his drop volley was saved by the former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper following a superb pass from Bernard Parker.

The latter was in the thick of things as he grabbed a second goal for the day for the Amakhosi following a brilliant piece of work between George Lebese and Lehlohonolo Majoro who provided the final pass.

Stuart Baxter would have been pleased with the progress of his charges as they dominated Swallows who were several times caught in sixes and sevens. The victory came with a heavy price as Chiefs trio, Kingston Nkatha, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Siboniso Gaxa suffered different injuries and are doubtful for the final against Bidvest Wits.

Kick-off is at 17:15.

Chiefs: Khune (Capt.), Gaxa (Moleko 80), Ritchie, Gould, Mathoho, Letsholonyane (Baloyi 71), Dladla (Nale 84), Nkosi, Parker, Tshabalala (Lebese 60), Nkatha (Majoro 37)

Head Coach: Stuart Baxter

Substitutes: Bartman, Mashamaite, Majoro, Nale, Lebese, Baloyi, Motaung, Ngcobo, Moleko

Swallows: Mathibe, Mapemba, Mungomeni, Da Costa, Lekgoathoane, Sibaya, Tsutsulupa, Chabangu, Chenene (Lwazi 60), Makhanya (Obada 55), Maleka

Substitutes: Nomvethe, Machapa, Hendricks, Isaacs, Cisse, Mayinga, Twala

Head Coach: Jose Marques

Cautions: Obada, Sibaya