Katsande, Chigova in contrasting fortunes
WILLARD KATSANDE came on as a second-half substitute, scored on his 230th Premier Soccer League appearance and inspired Kaizer Chiefs to a stunning come-from-behind 3-2 victory over George Chigova’s Polokwane City at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria yesterday.
The 34-year-old Katsande was immediately handed the armband after coming in for Kearyn Baccus at the start of the second-half, in a triple substitution that also saw Chiefs coach Ernest Middendorp introduce Bernard Parker for Yagan Sasman and Ramahlwe Mphahlele for Reeve Frosler.
Chiefs were trailing 2-0 when Katsande came on and the Zimbabwean reduced the arrears in the 71st minute in what was the beginning of a three-goal blitz in five minutes for Amakhosi.
Chiefs also found the net through Antony Akumu (75’) and Samir Nurkovic (76’). Leornado Cardoso could have made it four, but he missed from the spot in the 90th minute.
Katsande, who now has 215 league appearances for Chiefs, having played the other 15 for Ajax Cape Town before joining Amakhosi in 2011, is determined to leave a legacy in South African football.
“We all want to win the trophy. To go for a long time without winning something is demoralising,” Katsande told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“We have to be on top of our game to win this league for our fans, for our families, for everyone who has been following us.”
Kaizer Chiefs now have 52 points from 24 matches, six ahead of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, who drew 1-1 against Tapuwa Kapini’s Highlands at Dobsonville on Friday night.
Katsande was part of the Kaizer Chiefs team that won the club’s last league championship in 2015 and the former Warriors skipper wants to add another medal at the end of this season.
Amakhosi now have the momentum going into the last six games of the 2019-2020 ABSA Premiership season and Katsande is sure his team is firmly in control.
Katsande had told the South African media prior to the match that he wasn’t concerned about milestones as he remains focused on adding another championship medal into his cabinet.
“I didn’t even notice any milestones. I am reaching the twilight of my career, so I need to sit back and say I enjoyed myself, and also say I was the captain when the team won the championship. Overall, we just need to win the league; it will open avenues for more cups to come.
“We are still in control; it’s up to us. All we can control is our games,” Katsande said.
Kaizer Chiefs went into the match on the back of a 1-1 draw against Terrence Dzvukamanja’s Bidvest Wits last Wednesday and were looking to bounce back as they continue their quest for a first league title since 2015.
“Before the break (coronavirus induced) we had good momentum, but at the same time it was a blessing in disguise because we also had hiccups in terms of performances as we dropped points.
“So it was a case of trying to sit back and sharpen our arrows. We are as good as the way we started the season.
“Based from what I am seeing, everyone is good to go. I am 100 percent sure we are going to do it,” said Katsande, who was praised by Kaizer Chiefs’ former star, Josta Dladhla, after his midweek performance against Wits.
“Willard Katsande, as usual, did well too,” Dladhla, who won the league title with Amakhosi in 2015, was quoted on the club’s website last week.
Amakhosi have four Premier Soccer League titles (2004, 2005, 2013 and 2015) and 12 in total.
They finished ninth last season. However, it was a different story for Warriors keeper Chigova, who has clocked 120 league appearances for Polokwane City but was benched by coach Clinton Larsen yesterday.
The Zimbabwean trio of Chigova, Walter Musona and Charlton Mashumba did not make the starting line-up. Mashumba came on as a 64th minute substitute.
However, the 29-year-old Chigova remains focused on saving Rise and Shine from relegation.
“We know what we have to do to survive relegation, so our main focus is to collect as much points as we can in the last six games,” Chigova told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“No player once to get relegated. We have a good team and we believe in ourselves. We will avoid the drop.
“On my part, if I can play the remaining six games, it would be good for me in preparation for next season,” said the gangly keeper.
Polokwane, who are now second from bottom, returned to action for the first time since March when the ABSA Premiership was halted by the coronavirus. Chigova had reached 120 league appearances for Polokwane before the league was stopped.
“I have been enjoying my game and getting more game time.
“I am happy to be part of the players who helped Polokwane to first qualify for top eight and finish fifth last season,”
he said.
Elsewhere, Golden Arrows striker Knox Mutizwa failed to close the gap in the Golden Boot race after his side lost 0-1 against 10-man Stellenbosch, who had Ovidy Karuru sent off in the 72nd minute for a second bookable offence at the ABSA Tuks yesterday.
Mutizwa, who started for Arrows alongside Devine Lunga and Danny “Deco” Phiri, has scored 11 goals, three behind top-scorer Gabadinho Mhango of Orlando Pirates.
Peter Shalulile of Highlands Park and Chiefs striker Nurkovic have scored 13 goals, while the duo of Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United) and Bongi Ntuli (Amazulu) have 12 apiece.
Gaffe-prone goalie Elvis Chipezeze started for Baroka, who drew 0-0 against Talent Chawapiwa’s Amazulu at the Lucas Moripe yesterday.
Both Amazulu and Baroka are now on 24 points, four ahead of Black Leopards, who occupy the automatic relegation slot. Bottom-placed Leopards host Gabriel Nyoni’s Maritzburg United this afternoon.