Amakhosi unfortunate in derby loss
Amakhosi unfortunate in derby loss

Posted in Features, News, Team News on Nov 25, 2020.

Swallows (0) 1 (Mhlongo 86’) 

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 0

A series of decisions went against Kaizer Chiefs as they went down 1-0 to Swallows FC in a DStv Premiership game on Tuesday evening at the VW Stadium in Dobsonville. Chiefs had a goal by Daniel Cardoso wrongly chalked off by the linesman in first half stoppage time and were denied a clear penalty in the 77th minute. Swallows managed to score the only goal of the game four minutes from time with Joseph Mhlongo scoring the winner.

Chiefs were probing early on with their play down the flanks causing Swallows difficulty with Philani Zulu and Lebogang Manyama managing to get into dangerous positions. They were sending telling balls into the danger zone and were causing panic amongst a backline who had conceded just one goal in their previous four league games. 

Chiefs were able to create the first real chance in the 21st minute from a dead ball situation. Khama Billiat swung in a free kick from the right which seemed to float over to the Swallows goalkeeper Virgil Vries. The keeper tried to fist the ball away, instead it fell behind him to Willard Katsande, who had stormed thorough a throng of Swallows players. Although he made contact with the ball, he was unable to steer it into the goal and instead hit him on the knee and went out for a goal-kick. 

Four minutes later, another set piece, this time a corner from the right by Billiat was not properly dealt with by the Swallows defence. The ball eventually fell to Ngcobo who pushed the ball forward, where he found Katsande. The Zimbabwean thought he was in an offside position, which led to him scuffing the ball wide. He was though on side and amid the confusion, did not realise that the official had not put up his flag. 

In the 43rd minute, Billiat did well just inside the right of the Swallows’ 18-yard area to hold up the ball and he laid it off to Leonardo Castro, who crossed the ball towards goal but with no one able to get hold of it. The ball found its way to Philani Zulu who drove the ball hard at the first attempt beating Vries all ends up, but his effort rattled the cross bar, which was a reprieve for Swallows. 

Deep into referee’s added time at the end of the first half, Chiefs had the ball into the back of the net. A free kick from Manyama from the left saw Daniel Cardoso attack the ball, Vries came off his line punched the ball onto Maphoko Seabi and hit Cardoso who was on the ground and went over the line. At first referee Masixole Bambiso awarded a goal but then took direction from his assistant and chalked off the goal. Another vital decision going against Chiefs as the first half ended 0-0.

In the 77th minute, yet another decision went against Chiefs as they were denied what looked a certain penalty. A run by substitute Bernard Parker down the left saw him try to send the ball goal-wards. His attempted cross struck the outstretched back hand of Swallows Njabulo Ngcobo. The referee was not in a giving mood and Chiefs did not get what looked a certain penalty. 

Ngcobo was in the thick of the action again for Swallows in the 83rd minute when he managed to meet a free kick from the right by Lebogang Mokwena, with his head but he glanced the ball wide of goal. 

In the 85th minutes, Kgotso Moleko chased down a long ball from Khune and the Swallows defence left the ball for Vries. Moleko took advantage of their indecision and took the ball off Vries. He sent it over to the left trying to pick out Billiat, but he was unable to make contact with the ball. It then fell to Parker who drove the ball goal-wards but was blocked by a defender. 

Swallows against the run of play in the 86th minute took the lead when Mokwena played in a delightful ball from the right, which was well flighted and found the knee of Mhlongo as he came sliding in to knock the ball home. 

Chiefs were unable to launch a fight back and lost their first league derby of the season in somewhat unfortunate circumstances.

Number of the game 44:

Daniel Cardoso started and finished his 44th successive game for Chiefs in all competitions. 

Teams:

Chiefs: Khune; Mphahlele, Zulu; Cardoso, Ngezana; Katsande, Ngcobo (Blom 71’), Moleko, Manyama (Parker 71’); Billiat (Sifama 85’), Castro 

Subs not used: Akpeyi, Sasman, Zuma, Agay, Ntshangase, Matsheke 

Swallows:  Vries; Mere, Letlabika, Ngcobo, Hlanti (Matlaba 46’); Mthethwa, Mokoena, Seabi (Nyatama 90+3’); Thibedi (Basadien 90+2)’, Gamaldien (Mhlongo 74’), Mbokoma (Mahlatsi 74’) 

Subs not used: Tshabalala; Mosadi, Makhanya, Khupe 

What’s next:

Chiefs head to Cameroon for a CAF Champions League preliminary round game against PWD Bamenda. The game will be played in Limbe on Sunday with kick off set at 16:00 (South African time). 

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