CHIEFS BLUNT ARROWS
LAST-32: STEVE’S MEN HIT THREE SECOND-HALF GOALS
Bernard Parker comes off the bench to make it safe.
As rain fell at the FNB Stadium yesterday afternoon, it seemed to inspire Kaizer Chiefs as they began their Nedbank Cup campaign which might bring an end to a two-andhalf year trophy drought.
Amakhosi put it all together in the second half after a sluggish first period, going on to beat Golden Arrows 3-0 to ensure their name is in the hat for Thursday night’s Ke Yona last-16 draw.
It was however a win Steve Komphela’s side earned as Abafana Bes’thende proved worthy opponents in the first half and will feel they could also have caused an upset yesterday.
Arrows were the better side in the first half which was played at a pedestrian pace, and one could hardly tell it was a cup match.
Itumeleng Khune was the first of the keepers to be called into making a serious save when Sandile Zuke sent a curling shot towards goal and the Chiefs captain did well to tip it over.
After a quiet first half where the Arrows keeper only had to make a few routine catches, Amakhosi were a little more aggressive in the second half and played a higher line. The deadlock was finally broken in the 53rd minute when Willard Katsande’s shot from inside the Arrows box, which looked to be sailing wide was deflected by Ryan Moon into the net to give them the lead. After that goal, Chiefs showed more hunger and by the end could have scored more.
The goals did come as Arrows also had to take more risks looking for an equaliser.
Bernard Parker returned to the Chiefs team when he replaced Siphelele Ntshangase in the second half and his introduction proved a masterstroke when he rounded off the keeper to make it 2-0 10 minutes from the end.
Joseph Molangoane, who generally had a good game, capped his performance with a goal as he finished the match as a contest with just over five minutes to play.