Last gasp win for Amakhosi

George Maluleka scored a second-half stunner to hand new coach Ernst Middendorp victory in his first game back in charge of Kaizer Chiefs against SuperSport United at the Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday night.

The well-earned 1-0 victory lifted Chiefs into the top five but more importantly injected some new energy into a club teetering on the verge of crisis after a poor start to the season.

A clever half-time substitution by the veteran German coach was a major contributory factor as Chiefs marked the halfway point of their league campaign with only a second win in seven league games for them.

“It was a well deserved three points for us. We could have gone a little more for the second goal in the second half but I’m happy,” was Middendorp’s summary of the encounter.

Chiefs looked full of running in the early exchanges and were controlling the midfield but SuperSport got themselves slowly into the game.

While Chiefs looked full of energy with the new coach on the bench, they displayed the same frailties in front of goal, looking as indecisive and nervous as they have all campaign.

Middendorp looked for more midfield energy after the break and brought on Kabelo Mahlasela in a move that did exactly that.

Billiat had two more chances denied by Williams’ fine goalkeeping before the deadlock was broken just after the hour mark.

Mahlaslela set up Maluleka, who was allowed to advance on goal as the SuperSport defenders backed off and then pick his spot to give Williams no chance with a superb finish.

● Maritzburg United and Black Leopards drew 1-1 at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.

Onyango scored for Maritzburg and Musonda for the

Leopards.