result: Chiefs 2-0 AmaZulu

 

Date: 18 December 2012

 

Venue: FNB Stadium

 

Kaizer Chiefs confirmed their place at the top of the league table until the season gets back underway next year, after they beat AmaZulu 2-0 at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday night.

 

The game got off to a slow start with the ball bogged down in midfield as both sides struggled to hold onto possession for long periods.

 

Chiefs started to gain some measure of control but clear-cut chances were hard to come by. Reneilwe Letsholonyane saw a powerful drive following a corner deflected off target.

 

A controversial moment then arrived in the 27th minute when Matthew Rusike seemed to have been clipped in the area. The referee initially looked to have pointed to the spot, in what would have been the correct decision judging by replays, but it was overturned.

 

Usuthu could have rubbed salt in the wounds moments later when they won a free-kick at the edge of the area and only an incredible save from Itumeleng Khune denied Marc van Heerden from finding the top corner with his free-kick.

 

That was about the only real chance from the coastal side in the first period, and Chiefs would eventually take the lead in the 36th minute.

 

The visitors were unable to get the ball away from their area and it eventually fell to Rusike at the edge of the area where he lashed a swerving strike into the bottom corner.

 

George Lebese fired just wide soon after and although the hosts couldn’t find a second goal, it all seemed fairly simple against a dormant Usuthu side.

 

The game went into a slump again after the break but AmaZulu looked slightly more adventurous.

 

Andile Khumalo almost created a great chance in the 53rd minute when he turned brilliantly but his cross to the far post was blocked.

 

Khumalo was again prevented from getting a shot away 12 minutes later when Tefu Mashamaite put in a last ditch challenge to block the shot.

 

Lehlohonolo Majoro should have put the game to bed moments later when he was found unmarked in the area but he guided his header against the outside of the post.

 

AmaZulu responded through Van Heerden who lashed a low shot across Khune but the Chiefs stopper got down sharply to push the shot away.

 

Bernard Parker, who suffered an injury in their last outing, came on from the bench and would make the desired impact when he looped an excellent shot over the goalkeeper with eight minutes to go.

 

Lebese had a late chance to make it 3-0, but he was unable to get his shot past the goalkeeper. The hosts had done enough though and ensured that they would finish the year at the top of the league table.

 

Chiefs: Itumeleng Khune, Siboniso Gaxa, Eric Mathoho, Tefu Mashamaite, Tsepo Masilela, George Lebese, Willard Katsande, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Lehlohonolo Majoro, Matthew Rusike.

 

AmaZulu: Tapuwa Kapini, Thamsanqa Teyise, Marc van Heerden, Carlington Nyadombo, Philani Cele, Bongani Mbhele, Tsweu Mokoro, Kulegani Modondo, Andile Khumalo, Goodman Dlamini, Ayanda Dlamini.h