CHIEFS CARRY THROUGH
AUTHORITATIVE: SOWETO GIANTS OUTPLAY CELTIC IN ALL DEPARTMENTS
Recent signing Paez underlines his presence with a 55th minute strike to seal the deal.
Gustavo Paez is fast becoming a hero with the Kaizer Chiefs faithful.
The Venezuelan striker only arrived on the field in the 55th minute of yesterday’s Absa Premiership clash with Bloemfontein Celtic at the Petrus Molemela Stadium.
But the Amakhosi fans were clearly delighted to see the man whose double had spared Chiefs’ blushes in the Nedbank Cup against Acornbush United on Sunday. And Paez rewarded the supporters with another strike just 13 minutes after coming on, to seal a 2-0 victory that keeps Chiefs very much in the race for the league title.
Steve Komphela’s side now have 42 points from 23 matches, and are keeping the pressure on Bidvest Wits, Cape Town City, SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns. Chiefs are now unbeaten in their last 11 league games and showing a consistency that betrayed them earlier in the campaign.
Amakhosi got in front early on yesterday, with Joseph Molangoane’s defence-splitting pass finding George Maluleka, who fired past Patrick Tignyemb in the Celtic goal in the 13th minute.
Willard Katsande found his name in the book in the 16th minute as he was late into a challenge with his midfield counerpart Alfred Ndengane and referee Lwandile Mfiki raised the yellow card.
Veteran winger Siphiwe Tshabalala fluffed a chance to extend his side’s lead when he received an educated pass from Bernard Parker. The ball fell on his weaker right foot, and he failed to control it in the box, allowing Tshepo Rikhotso to clear the danger.
Winger Lyle Lakay made space for himself in the 36th minute to test Itumeleng Khune from range, only to see his left-footed strike go wide of the mark. Three minutes later, Musa Nyatama made the Chiefs skipper work with a wellstruck effort that forced Khune to flick the ball over the bar with his fingertips.
Siwelele made efforts to come back into the game as they looked to catch Komphela’s men on the break, but a resolute Khune was unshakeable between the goal posts.
It was left to Paez to have the final say, with what is his first league goal since signing in the January transfer window, adding to the three times he has already scored in the Nedbank Cup.
In last night’s other result, Ajax Cape Town saw off Highlands Park down in the Mother City, with Mark Mayambela’s exquisite 9th minute chip steering the Urban Warriors up to 11th in the table.