Chiefs go 9 points clear with victory over City
Chiefs go 9 points clear with victory over City

Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on Jan 12, 2020.

12 January 2020

 

 

Kaizer Chiefs           (1) 3 (Castro 11’, Nurković 63’, Mathoho 67’)

Cape Town City      (0) 0

 

Kaizer Chiefs completed a league double over Cape Town City when they defeated the Citizens 3-0 at FNB Stadium in an Absa Premiership encounter on Sunday afternoon. The win saw Chiefs build a 9-point lead at the top of the table over Mamelodi Sundowns. Leonardo Castro gave Chiefs the perfect start when he headed Amakhosi into the lead in the 11th minute. Second half goals from Samir Nurković and Mulomowandau Mathoho saw Chiefs through to a comfortable 3-0 victory.

In the searing heat of Johannesburg, it took both teams a while to settle in. Chiefs conjured up their second major chance in the 11th minute - it was a neat one-two down the right between Kearyn Baccus and Lebogang Manyama.

Baccus then sent in an in-swinging cross which saw Castro rise highest above Taaariq Fielies to head the ball past Peter Leeuwenburgh, who was unable to stop the ball as Chiefs took the lead. It was Castro’s 7th league goal of the 2019/20 campaign.

Baccus contributing with his fourth assist of the season in his 13th league appearance of the campaign. For the second game in a row he set up Castro for a goal.

In the 17th minute, Chiefs again went the aerial from a set piece as Lebogang Manyama floated the ball goal wards, Castro was able to get a head on the ball but this time Leeuwenburgh was able to make a routine stop.

In the 25th minute, Thabo Nodada came close for Cape Town City dragging a close-range effort from a few yards out wide of goal, after he had been teed up by Mduduzi Mdantsane.

Between the 27th and 29th minutes, Kermit Erasmus had a go at goal from distance and missed the target on both occasions. He curled the ball wide beyond Daniel Akpeyi with his first chance from the right. His second attempt from the left went wide of Daniel Akpeyi’s left hand upright.

In the final minute of the first half, Bradley Ralani glided into the Chiefs 18-yard area before making room for himself and unleashing a shot, which had Akpeyi diving to his left to touch the ball out for a corner averting the danger.

 

Chiefs took a 1-0 lead into the half-time break.

 

At the start of the second half Chiefs made a double substitution with Happy Mashiane and Dumsani Zuma replacing Kearyn Baccus and Leonardo Castro respectively.

Zuma would play a big role as Chiefs doubled their lead in the 63rd minutes after he was fed a quick pass by Manyama, he then sent in a delightful cross from the right which Nurković rose up to flick past Leeuwenburgh, with Fielies once more unable to tightly mark the Chiefs striker. The Serbian striker taking his tally to 9 league goals in 14 league appearances for the season. It was his 10th goal in all competitions.

Four minutes later Chiefs would score a third goal as Mathoho headed a George Maluleka corner from the left home. Leeuwenburgh came off his line to punch away the ball but was unable to make contact and it fell onto the head of Mathoho who scored his fourth goal of the season.

Bernard Parker who came on as a second half substitute in the 86th minute would miss a chance to score a fourth for Chiefs, while Akpeyi would make another fine save in referee’s added time at the end of the second half to keep his second successive clean-sheet.

Chiefs would round off a difficult five days with their second successive 3-0 league triumph after defeating Highlands Park by the same score-line on Wednesday evening. Amakhosi are next in action on Saturday when they face Black Leopards away from home.

 

Fact of the match:

Kaizer Chiefs won their sixth successive home league game. It was the first time since the 2013/14 season that they had won six successive home league games.

 

Number of the match (5):

Chiefs won their fifth successive home league game at the FNB Stadium. It is the second time that Chiefs have won five home league games in a row at FNB Stadium in the PSL era since 1996/97.

 

Most Valuable Player (MVP): 

There were a number of outstanding performers for Chiefs. Amakhosi’s wing play was excellent while they were also dangerous from the dead ball. Both Chiefs’ strikers Leonardo Castro and Samir Nurković got onto the score-sheet. While Mathoho showed his strength in defence and attack as he scored his fourth league goal of the season. George Maluleka was the official Man of the Match. He was rewarded for his hard work; he also provided the assist for Chiefs third goal which was his 4th in the league this season.

 

What it means:

Chiefs are now 9 points clear of their nearest challenger Mamelodi Sundowns, and have passed the 40 point mark for the season.

 

Line-ups:

Chiefs: Akpeyi; Moleko, Mathoho, Cardoso, Ntiya-Ntiya; Katsande ©, Maluleka . Baccus (Mashiane 46’), Manyama (Parker 86’); Castro (Zuma 46’), Nurković

Subs not used: Khune, Mphahlele, Ngezana, Sasman

CT City: Leeuwenburgh ; Dove, Seedat (David 68’), Fielies, Mdantsane (Roberts 72’), Kewuti; Martin; Ralani (Lakay 81’), Nodada ©; Makola, Erasmus

Subs not used: Stephens; Cupido, Norodien, Potouridis

 

What’s Next:

Chiefs will now shift their attention to their next Absa Premiership encounter which will be on Saturday 18th January away against Black Leopards in Thohoyandou. The Glamour Boys will look to consolidate their lead at the top of the table.

 

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