AMAKHOSI PUSHING FOR THE TITLE
Kaizer Chiefs extended their Absa Premiership unbeaten run against Maritzburg United to eight matches with a 1-0 win over the KwaZulu-Natal based club at the FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday evening.
Dumisani Zuma scored the only goal of the game as the Amakhosi move up to sixth place on the log standings, five points off top spot. Defeat leaves the Team of Choice rooted to the bottom of the log standings, four points from safety.
The hosts missed a gilt-edged chance early on. Maritzburg goalkeeper Richard Ofori could only succeed in guiding Leonardo Castro’s shot into the path of Bernard Parker and with the goal at his mercy, the forward could only succeed in firing his shot wide of goal.
Bruce Bvuma was then forced into a good save with seven minutes on the clock. Finally handed his chance in favour of Virgil Vries and Daniel Akpeyi in the Chiefs goal, the shot-stopper showcased superb reflexes to keep Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya’s miscued clearance from finding the back of the net.
The Amakhosi goalkeeper had to be at his best once more in the 35th minute to keep out the in-form Fortune Makaringe who’s shot looked sure to bulge the back of the net.
Nazeer Allie showcased his quality with two superb goal line clearances on the cusp of halftime. The experienced defender showed great awareness to deny Khama Billiat before jumping to his feet to clear Zuma’s follow up effort.
His heroics kept the score at 0-0 as the two teams headed for the tunnel at the break having failed to find the back of the net.
Mohau Mokate squandered a great chance for the visitors straight from the kick-off after the break, but having beaten Bvuma to the ball he could only succeed in dragging his resulting shot wide of goal.
The Team of Choice were made to rue the missed chance moments later as Zuma fired the hosts in front. Parker and Castro linked up well to tee up the attacker who finished with aplomb past an outstretched Ofori in the 50th minute.
Maritzburg dominated most of the closing stages in Soweto, but failed in their attempts to find the equaliser as Chiefs held on for all three points.
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Zuma 50′)
Maritzburg United (0) 0
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma; Mphahlele, Moleko, Cardoso, Zuma, Maluleka, Zulu (Katsande 26′), Ntiya-Ntiya, Billiat (Ngcobo 46′), Castro (Moon 80′), Parker.
Maritzburg United: Ofori; Xulu, Sanoka, Allie, Kunene, Makaringe, Timm, Shandu (Mekoa 57′), Ndlovu, Mokate (Moseamedi 59′), Zakri (Kateregga 70′).
