It took a second half penalty to relieve Kaizer Chiefs of their crisis of confidence as they won their first game of the season by beating newly promoted Highlands Park 1-0 away on Wednesday.
George Lebese provide deliverance for beleaguered coach Steve Komphela who has been feeling the heat and would certainly have been in the firing line had his side not won in front of a capacity 9,000-strong crowd.
The penalty award is up for debate: Augustin Leonard caught William Thwala from behind as they both charged after a ball into the Highlands area. The first contact looked to be outside the area but they both tumbled into the area and referee Lwandile Mfiki had no hesitation in awarding the kick.
Lebese struck the spot kick well past Tapuwa Kapini, who saved two last week against Baroka FC.
But it took a brilliant save from Itumeleng Khune to keep the points intact. He made a stinging stop to deny Charlton Mashumba from a free kick that was awarded after Khune handled the ball outside the penalty area deep in stoppage time.
In the first half, the tight pitch at the Makhulong Stadium emphasised the absence of any crisp passing from a disjointed looking Chiefs, who turned over possession with regular abandon in the first half. But they were much better after the break.
Highlands robbed them of the ball almost at will before the break and were then able to find space down the flanks with the running of Jose Garcia on the right and Seun Ledwaba on the left. Franklin Cale, too looked dangerous at time and might have opened the scoring with a double chance in the 11th minute.
His header from Garcia’s cross was blocked by the Chiefs defence but the rebound fell right onto his boot, only for his shot to go straight at Itumeleng Khune.
Garcia and Cale also had chances from first half free kicks but both delivered poor efforts.
The closest Chiefs came in the first half was an effort from Lebese at the end of the one passing movement they were able to properly put together in the first half.
But they improved considerably in the second half where they bossed matters and found Highlands backing off and looking tired. Thwala came close with a header and a goalmouth melee late in the game also provided Chiefs with a scoring opportunity
Siphiwe Tshabalala returned from injury in another boost for the team as a second half substitute.
- TMG Digital
Kaizer Chiefs still not convincing but grab first win of the season
Image: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
It took a second half penalty to relieve Kaizer Chiefs of their crisis of confidence as they won their first game of the season by beating newly promoted Highlands Park 1-0 away on Wednesday.
George Lebese provide deliverance for beleaguered coach Steve Komphela who has been feeling the heat and would certainly have been in the firing line had his side not won in front of a capacity 9,000-strong crowd.
The penalty award is up for debate: Augustin Leonard caught William Thwala from behind as they both charged after a ball into the Highlands area. The first contact looked to be outside the area but they both tumbled into the area and referee Lwandile Mfiki had no hesitation in awarding the kick.
Lebese struck the spot kick well past Tapuwa Kapini, who saved two last week against Baroka FC.
But it took a brilliant save from Itumeleng Khune to keep the points intact. He made a stinging stop to deny Charlton Mashumba from a free kick that was awarded after Khune handled the ball outside the penalty area deep in stoppage time.
In the first half, the tight pitch at the Makhulong Stadium emphasised the absence of any crisp passing from a disjointed looking Chiefs, who turned over possession with regular abandon in the first half. But they were much better after the break.
Highlands robbed them of the ball almost at will before the break and were then able to find space down the flanks with the running of Jose Garcia on the right and Seun Ledwaba on the left. Franklin Cale, too looked dangerous at time and might have opened the scoring with a double chance in the 11th minute.
His header from Garcia’s cross was blocked by the Chiefs defence but the rebound fell right onto his boot, only for his shot to go straight at Itumeleng Khune.
Garcia and Cale also had chances from first half free kicks but both delivered poor efforts.
The closest Chiefs came in the first half was an effort from Lebese at the end of the one passing movement they were able to properly put together in the first half.
But they improved considerably in the second half where they bossed matters and found Highlands backing off and looking tired. Thwala came close with a header and a goalmouth melee late in the game also provided Chiefs with a scoring opportunity
Siphiwe Tshabalala returned from injury in another boost for the team as a second half substitute.
- TMG Digital
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