IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN Usuthu chopped but Birds survive for now
It’s party time for Glamour Boys as trophy returns to Naturena
IT was not enough for Kaizer Chiefs to pop corks and raise the trophy — they at times displayed champagne football for their 42 000 fans who had come to the party, against a fighting Chippa United, who made a cracking game of it.
Chiefs dismantled Chippa with a commanding first-half display and superbly engineered goals from Mandla Masango in the 25th minute and Willard Katsande in the 37th.
The Chilli Boys, with the threat of relegation hanging over them, fought for their lives in the second half, forcing Amakhosi to absorb pressure. The Port Elizabeth side could have pulled a goal back when they were awarded a penalty for Tefu Mashamaite bringing down William Twala, but Erick Chipeta hit the upright in the 88th minute.
Chippa were fortunate results went their way, and they survived relegation.
Chiefs have smashed Mamelodi Sundowns’ 65-point record by four points on 69 — a mark that should stand for some years.
The Amakhosi supporters were in full song from an hour before kick-off, and were a large part of a fine spectacle. They had arrived for a celebration, and afterwards the parties in PE and elsewhere would have gone on all night.
Chippa, under caretaker Velile Dyaloyi — who had just the 1-1 draw against Black Aces in midweek as experience as a PSL coach — were missing key defensive midfielder Siyabonga Sangweni, who was suspended.
Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter brought Lorenzo Gordinho into his central defence for Eric Mathoho, who had a knock. He had Brilliant Khuzwayo in goal
KINGS OF THE CASTLE: Kaizer Chiefs players and officials celebrate after receiving the Premiership trophy in Port Elizabeth yesterday ahead of Reyaad Pieterse.
No team goes through a season without a slump. After the superhuman effort to go unbeaten to the Africa Cup of Nations break, Chiefs’ sag came when they won one in five on their return, allowing Sundowns to come within eight points with a game in hand.
For a moment the league was delicately poised. Baxter’s team regained poise and powered to five wins in succession before the past week’s 2-1 defeat against Bidvest Wits, wrapping up the PSL with three games left.
Bizarrely, there are still Chiefs fans who have complained their side’s football is too clinical. Really, with a squad that’s not the strongest of SA’s big three, it has to be. And to a man Baxter’s PSL compatriots have praised a highly effective brand they say is also pleasing to the eye.
It was Baxter who came with the game plan, but it was the players who bought into it, and applied themselves to the end.
As for Chippa, they should never have fought relegation, tough as it is being a promoted team. Chairman Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi says he has learnt from his mistakes almost as often as he fires coaches. The results are self-evident — they won once since replacing Roger Sikhakhane when they were in eighth place from 18 games. Yesterday they could not even get the numbers on their team sheet right.
The most interesting sub-plot to Chiefs’ season, that of Itumeleng Khune’s protracted contract negotiations, took another turn when Khuzwayo and Reyaad Pieterse were the goalkeepers to run out for the warmup. Khune had been on the bench in the loss to Wits, and his absence will only add fuel to speculation over his future.
Chiefs were beaten to the ball early on by a desperate Chippa, as Chipeta headed wide and Twala forced a save off Khuzwayo’s legs. But Amakhosi stunned the home side with two goals that dripped class.
Bernard Parker’s cross, chipped in from the left, found Masango to rise and place a header beautifully past goal- keeper Tshepo Motsoeneng.
In an excellently worked corner, the ball was moved to Masango, his cross from the right almost a carbon copy of Parker’s from the other side, finding Katsande free to volley in from 12m.
The Chilli Boys’ fiery second half threw Chiefs out of their rhythm. Edward Manqele forced a save from Khuzwayo, Chiefs desperately clearing. Twala had the ball in the net from narrowly offside seconds later. Twala carved open the defence, Khuzwayo again spreading himself, and substitute George Akpabio forced another stop off the keeper’s legs.
Chairman Siviwe ’Chippa’ Mpengesi says he has learnt from his mistakes
THERE were tears of joy and sorrow as another PSL season ended yesterday.
AmaZulu were relegated for the fourth time in PSL history. AFTER relegating Golden Arrows last season, AmaZulu had to swallow their own bitter brew when Maritzburg United condemned them to the National First Division.
AmaZulu were chasing the game as early as the eighth minute as a defensive lapse saw Deolin Mekoa break through and lash a left-footed shot past Energy Murambadoro.
With Free State Stars breathing down their necks, the Team of Choice knew only a win would guarantee them a top-eight spot. AmaZulu were nervous and it showed in massed defending, allowing Maritzburg space in midfield.
AmaZulu found poise and confidence late in the first half but were unable to convert opportunities.
After many missed chances and a red card for Kwanda Mngonyama for two bookings, Thapelo Nyongo equalised in the 73rd minute. But their premiership flame was extinguished 15 minutes later when Mohau Mokate turned in Ntuthuko Mabaso’s cross. — Khanyiso Tshwaku THE odds were against Moroka Swallows, but they escaped automatic relegation thanks to veteran striker Siyabonga Nomvethe yesterday.
Swallows’ 1-0 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic gives them an opportunity to fight for Premiership status in the play-offs.
The Dube Birds came into this game after a demoralising defeat to Ajax Cape Town and never really looked like a side hungry fort a win over Celtic, who were there for the taking. But after a poor first half Swallows got the goal they needed and Nomvethe delivered for the hosts with 20 minutes left.
He headed in from close range and this time Swallows were able to hold on, having squandered many leads this season.
At the final whistle Swallows celebrated as if they had won the league. MAMELODI Sundowns ended their season on a high with a narrow win over University of Pretoria at Lucas Moripe Stadium yesterday. Having secured the runners-up spot behind champions Kaizer Chiefs, the Brazilians slowed down the pace to close the curtain on a Premier League campaign that saw them surrender their league title. Ramahlwe Mphahlele scored the goal.
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane made changes, opting to give the fringe players a run. Wayne Arendse, Mario Booysen, Elias Pelembe, Mame Niang, Asavela Mbekile and Rodney Ramagalela all appeared in this ‘exhibition” match.
Also getting a rare start was Thela Ngobeni, the fourthchoice goalkeeper, in his only game of the season. Sundowns are sure to have a different look later this week when they face Ajax Cape Town in the Nedbank Cup final in PE. — Mazola Molefe Two goals from Menzi Masuku saw Orlando Pirates come from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Ajax Cape Town yesterday, but it was not enough to see them drop from third spot and lose out on a place in African club competition next year.
Masuku, in only his second start, banged in his double in five minutes early in the second half.
Thabiso Nkoana took advantage of sloppy defending to open the score in the 17th minute and Riyaad Norodien banged in a long-range effort on the stroke of half time as Ajax went 2-0 up despite resting key players ahead of the Nedbank Cup final, although coach Roger de Sa will have to sit in the stands after being sent off late in yesterday’s game.
Mpho Makola’s cross in the 53rd minute was headed on by Oupa Manyisa for Masuku to sweep in from close range. Makola then beat the offside trap to set up Masuku’s second goal in the 58th minute.