First win for Chiefs in the league

Kaizer Chiefs’ long wait for a win in the Absa Premiership is over, after they defeated hosts Cape Town City 4-1 on Saturday afternoon.

The Amakhosi triumphed in front of a 30 000-plus crowd at Cape Town Stadium thanks to a second-half brace from Khama Billiat, to move to seven points from their six matches and climb to fourth place on the log.

The Citizens, who had Taariq Fielies sent off, drop to 10th place with five points from as many matches.

Chiefs enjoyed a strong start to the game and after early chances they claimed the lead in the 12th minute. A free kick from the right flank was touched on by the City defence, Willard Katsande headed the ball back into the danger area and Siyabonga Ngezana was on hand to nod home a simple finish from close range.

The hosts hit back in the 25th minute. Having built up a head of steam, the Citizens equalised when former Chiefs striker Matthew Rusike was left unmarked at the near post from a corner kick and glanced home from close range to make it 1-1.

The Amakhosi were dealt an injury blow after the half-hour mark, as striker Leonardo Castro succumbed to an ankle injury he sustained earlier in the game. He was replaced by Bernard Parker.

The final chance of the first half went the way of the Cape team, who had Bradley Ralani hit the post with a shot from a corner kick, though the attacking midfielder appeared to handle the ball just before getting his effort away.

Chiefs reclaimed the lead five minutes into the second half, with Khama Billiat glancing home a diving header after good set-up play down the right flank from Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Parker, who provided the final cross.

City responded by bringing both Roland Putsche and Gift Links off the bench, yet within seconds of their arrival the Soweto side should have added to their advantage, as Billiat sprinted in behind the defence but shot wide when he had only Peter Leeuwenbergh to beat.

Midway through the second half, the Citizens were reduced to 10 men. Defender Taariq Fielies received a debatable second yellow card and was sent for an early shower.

Just over ten minutes later, with City throwing men forward in an effort to get back into the game, the Amakhosi landed the killer blow. Billiat capitalised on a loose ball in the City penalty area and easily tucked the ball home in the 79th minute to make it 3-1.

There was still time for Chiefs to add a fourth, as substitute Hendrick Ekstein set up fellow replacement Philani Zulu to slide a low shot under the goalkeeper and wrap up the scoring at 4-1 in the 90th minute.

Both teams will be in league action again in midweek, with Chiefs away to Free State Stars on Tuesday, September 18, and City away to Orlando Pirates the following day.

Cape Town City 1

Rusike 25’

Kaizer Chiefs 4

Ngezana 12’, Billiat 50’ 79’, Zulu 90’

City: Leeuwenbergh, Mkhize, Fielies, Mngonyama, Seedat, Matsi, Modise (Putsche 62’), Patosi (Mthembu 71’), Martin, Ralani (Links 62’), Rusike

Chiefs: Khune, Mphahlele, Cardoso, Ngezana, Ntiyantiya, Billiat (Ekstein 87’), Katsande, Ntshangase, Manyama (Zulu 77’), Zuma, Castro (Parker 34’)