Chiefs romp to victory in eight-goal thriller
● Amakhosi spectacularly put five past Bloem Celtic
A hat-trick from Samir Nurkovic and brace from Leonardo Castro earned Kaizer Chiefs a 5-3 victory in an Absa Premiership eight-goal thriller at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday night, the spectacular nature of which only enhanced Amakhosi’s growing title credentials.
A frantic first half saw Celtic take the lead three times, first via Ndumiso Mabena in the 13th minute.
Nurkovic equalised in the 21st and Harris Tchilimbou scored for the Free Staters in the 24th.
Nurkovic levelled in the 31st and Siphelele Luthuli made it 3-2 in the 35th.
Chiefs owned the second half as Castro levelled for a third time in the 47th, then Nurkovic gave Amakhosi their first lead in the 61st.
Castro headed a fourth goal out of five from set pieces for Chiefs, making it 5-3, in the 71st.
Some have complained that this Chiefs — soaring in confidence as they approach an imposing 10-point lead by Christmas — are not pretty.
It’s not unfair criticism, but they cannot be accused of not being exciting.
On Saturday night, even as an unusually disorganised defence bled goals in the first half, Amakhosi coach Ernst Middendorp never relented on whipping his team forward on attack.
Celtic coach Lehlohonolo Seema had a clever plan on the night, troubling Chiefs with pace on the counterattack.
Amakhosi never capitulated to the temptation to tighten or play for a draw, though they did resolve some shape issues at the break.
If a shaky first half raised some questions about Chiefs’ title credentials, their bravery to press relentlessly forward and a magnificent second half ultimately earned a dramatic victory that kept the dream alive.
A 3-5-2 formation has its place, but with Bernard Parker, all of 33 years old, employed at left wingback to stomp the flank a-la Roberto Carlos?
That does seem like a stretch.
Chiefs’ backline were at times shockingly out of shape with the team conceding three first-half goals.
Amakhosi’s attack, packed with players — and one Nurkovic — capable of scoring goals, notched two in the other direction.
Celtic’s answer to the Serb was skilful playmaker Mabena.
They took the lead when Lantshene Phalane’s low-trajectory pass from deep was missed in the middle by Tebogo Potsane.
Parker allowed Mabena space behind him, then allowed the forward to cut inside and finish past goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.
Lebogang Manyama’s free kick from the left was struck low to Nurkovic, who bounced the ball up, turned and volleyed past Mondli Mpoto.
Three minutes later Chiefs centreback Erick Mathoho charged forward on a challenge, breaking the shape of his line, and allowing Mabena to shake free and release Harris Tchilimbou one-on-one to finish.
Manyama’s corner was not cleared by Celtic, Daniel Cardoso looping a chip back into the danger area where Nurkovic headed in.
On Celtic’s classic counterattack, Mabena’s back-heel set Potsane free, who advanced and squared for winger Siphelele Luthuli — again oneon-one — to slot.
Middendorp introduced Dumisani Zuma for Parker from the break and within moments Chiefs earned a corner.
Manyama’s delivery found Castro unmarked and the Colombian was not about to miss a free header. From the break, it was a different Amakhosi — one charged to ram home the advantage after scoring.
They added another, Castro’s cross finding Nurkovic to smash a volley.
From a Manyama corner, Castro again was left free to head Chiefs’ third of the half past Mpoto. —