Goals by debutant Siyabonga Ngezana and Bernard Parker gave Kaizer Chiefs a 2-1 win against Mamelodi Sundowns in their Absa Premiership encounter at Loftus Versveld Stadium on Tuesday evening, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.
Pitso Mosimane made only one change from his side that defeated Platinum Stars 1-0 in their most recent PSL clash, with goalkeeper Brimah Razak being dropped to the bench in favour of Denis Onyango.
Steve Komphela was forced into making a number of alterations to his squad that lost 2-1 to Baroka prior to the international, largely due to injuries, with Joseph Molangoane, Bernard Parker and Siyabonga Ngezana being handed starting berths.
The game got off to a frantic start with both sides keen on attacking in the opening exchanges of the encounter.
Mosimane’s side looked a lot more comfortable when in possession of the ball as opposed to Chiefs, who were more disjointed and appeared keen to play on the counter-attack.
Chiefs were gifted the first real opportunity of the game in the seventh minute when a break down in communication from the Sundowns defence gave Parker a chance at goal, but the forward miscued his effort, despite being through on goal.
Sundowns grew in confidence as the game went on, with Chiefs content to sit back, but the home side were let down by poor-decision making in the final third, often allowing Daniel Cardoso and Ngezana to recover in time.
Chiefs began to defend deeper in their defensive third enticing Sundowns to attack them, and it almost backfired in 21st minute when a well-worked move saw Langerman deliver a fine ball into the area, but it proved just too high for the onrushing Sibusiso Vilakazi, with the Chiefs defence well-beaten.
The visitors almost broke the deadlock in fine fashion after a rapid counter-attacking move resulted in Parker finding space behind the defence, but the forward’s thunderous effort cannoned off the crossbar.
Morena had a chance at the other end a few seconds later, but the defender flashed his effort wide of Khune’s goal.
Parker showed great resilience to set up Ekstein after getting the better of Thapelo Morena in the 31st minute, but the midfielder’s effort went wide of the target.
Sundowns should have opened the scoring in the 34th minute when a goalmouth scramble saw the ball at Tau’s feet, but the forward ballooned his effort.
Philani Zulu squandered the best chance of the game a minute later when he latched on to a terrible back pass from Morena, but the defender completely miscued his effort with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Chiefs almost found the back of the net on the stroke of half-time, but Onyango did well to keep out Molangoane’s goal-bound effort.
The second half started much like the first, with Sundowns on the front foot and Chiefs absorbing the pressure.
Debutant Ngezana broke the deadlock for Chiefs from a set-piece when he latched on to the end of a well-taken free kick by Maluleka.
Sundowns immediately responded with a substitution as Mosimane brought on Oupa Manyisa for Vilakazi in the 52nd minute. The substitution almost paid dividends seconds later when Manyisa set up Zwane in the area, but the winger could only guide his effort straight at Khune.
Chiefs consolidated their shape even more in a bid to contain their lead, which forced Sundowns to take more risks when going forward, however they struggled to penetrate the Chiefs defence.
Molangoane escaped being sent off for a rough tackle from behind on Khama Billiat as tempers flared up in the 65th minute.
Sundowns were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area in the 68th minute after a poor challenge by Zulu on Hlompho Kekana, but Kekana’s subsequent free kick flew straight into the wall.
Chiefs put the result beyond doubt in the 71st minute when Parker latched on to Molangoane’s ball, guiding it over the top before calmly finishing past Onyango.
Mabunda was shown a red card after receiving his second yellow card of the game for a late challenge on Maluleka.
Komphela signalled his intent to go for more goals when he introduced Dumisani Zuma for Ekstien in the 78th minute.
A poor late challenge from Mathoho gave Sundowns a penalty and a late spark of hope as Zwane made no mistake from the spot.
George Lebese was thrown on late as Sundowns went for an all-out attack in the remaining minutes.
Chiefs consolidated their lead and shape to run out 2-1 victors.
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/Backpagepix
