Springboks have a mountain to climb
The Boks’ upcoming away fixtures in Australasia now loom as massive challenges.
Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport have it all to play for in their MTN8 semifinal after the first leg finished in a 2-2 draw yesterday at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville. Khama Billiat’s star at Amakhosi continues to shine ever so brightly as he was the one who broke the deadlock in the 19th minute after connecting well with a Dumisani Zuma cross from the left flank. Matsatsantsa a Pitori re- sponded about five minutes later through Man-of-the-Match Bradley Grobler, who fired past Itumeleng Khune to level matters and opened his account for the season.
It did not take long for Grobler to double up and put United’s noses in front as he completed his brace in the 37th minute.
At the start of the second half, United were hoping to pick up where they left off but Chiefs had other ideas. It took Leonardo Castro less than two minutes into the second half to bring the game back to level pegging as he scored his third goal of the season.
Kaitano Tembo was the first to make changes when he brought on striker James Keene, who came in for Reneilwe Letsholonyane, giving United’s front line three natural strikers in Evans Rusike and Grobler. Tembo later took off Fagrie Lakay and introduced Thuso Phala to the fray to refresh his attack.
However, the player who received the most applause upon his entrance was Chiefs veteran and fan favourite Bernard Parker.
Fans at the Lucas Moripe Stadium roared their delight when Giovanni Solinas instructed Parker to put on his gear as he was about to come on.
Parker came on for Bongolwethu Jayiya, and in so doing made his fourth consecutive appearance off the bench.
The Naturena-based outfit will host United in the second leg at the beginning of next month at the FNB Stadium, where they will hope their two away goals will prove to be golden enough to see them reach the final.