Dream Chiefs debut for Castro
Castro off bench to sink Baroka with wonder goal
Leonardo Castro demonstrated he’s a man for the big occasion as his debut goal completed a comeback for Kaizer Chiefs here yesterday.
Chiefs secured an historic first win over Baroka in their 2-1 victory yesterday, thanks to Castro’s superb finish.
Lucky Nguzana gave Baroka the lead in the first half but second half strikes from Ryan Moon and Castro ensured that Chiefs came back from a goal down for the second successive encounter.
Crucially, they ended Baroka’s dominance over them, having lost two previous encounters and drawn a further two against Bakgaga.
Chiefs’ victory has set up a tantalising clash against the star-studded log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, where Castro will be playing against his former team for the first time.
Despite being reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute when Joseph Molangoane was red carded, Chiefs showed great tenacity to snatch the points away from home and move to third in the Absa Premiership.
The first half, without a doubt, belonged to Baroka, with their attackers dominating the flow of the game.
Chiefs once again played with a line-up of three centrebacks – Erick Mathoho, Daniel Cardoso and Teenage Hadebe – a clear sign of respect for the dangerous opposition attack.
As Chiefs anticipated, Baroka held nothing back as their players came out determined for another league win over the Soweto giants this season after the shock 2-1 result in the first round.
After constant probing, the opening goal finally came for Baroka after some sharp awareness from Nguzana in the 29th minute. The striker scored with an easy tap-in after a rebound from a Talent Chawapihwa strike that hit the upright.
In the second minute of the second half, Siphiwe Tshabalala lobbed a cross into the box that Moon flicked into the net with a header in the 47th minute. Former Baroka star Siphelele Ntshangase entered the match in the 59th minute for Tshabalala and had an immediate impact. Castro banged in the winner with his first shot in the 84th. See page 20
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