Away goal gives Chiefs the edge

PWD BAMENDE: CONFIDENCE-BOOSTING WIN IN CAMEROON

Kaizer Chiefs’ drew first blood with a 1- 0 away win over PWD Bamenda in their Caf Champions League preliminary round first-leg tie in Limbe, Cameroon yesterday.

Amakhosi were made to sweat for their win and their hosts never took defeat lying down and threw everything at the vistors and even had a late penalty saved.

It was a confidence-boosting win for Chiefs, who had gone five games without registering a favourable result in domestic football.

The game was a bit slow in the initial stages but Amakhosi had more of the ball and had their opponents on the back foot for long periods.

But just like it has been their Achilles heel on the domestic front, they just couldn’t seem to create enough realistic scoring chances, nor find that important opening goal that would put the home side on the back foot.

Heading to Cameroon, Amakhosi had scored just four goals in eight games, and had been on a five match winless streak.

It had been hoped that an away game, with less pressure, would be a turning point for Gavin Hunt’s side.

Bamenda did have a few threatening moments but is was nothing that Itumeleng Khune couldn’t deal with.

The second half was more of the same as none of the teams could make any meaningful headway on attack.

Things changed towards the end though with Chiefs’ second-half substitute Lebogang Manyama, setting up Erick Mathoho for what proved to be the winner in the 84th minute as they threw everything into attack.

The goal now sets them up nicely for the home leg with an away goal in teh bag.

Soon after Amakhosi took the lead, Bamenda were awarded a penalty but Khune stood his ground and made the save to deny the hosts a late equaliser.

In the Caf Confederations Cup, Bloemfontein Celtic beat AS Maniema Union of the Democratic Republic of Congo 2- 0 yesterday afternoon.