Chiefs snap an eight-game winless run
Kaizer Chiefs snapped an eight-game winless run with a dramatic, last-gasp 3-2 victory over Polokwane City in an Absa Premiership fixture played at the FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The win will bring some respite to Chiefs coach Steve Komphela, who had been under fire from the Soweto club’s faithful followers.
Chiefs were quickly into stride and created an early chance for George Maluleka, but Polokwane goalkeeper George Chigova was equal to the task, making a fine save. Soon after, as the Soweto side continued their early pressure, Ramahlwe Mphahlele worked his way into the Polokwane penalty area, but there was nobody available to take advantage of his cross.
But Polokwane then sprang to life, with the Limpopo Province team’s strikers, Puleng Tlolane and Rodney Ramagalela, particularly prominent.
Ramagalela fashioned an opening, but Tlolane fired over the bar. Polokwane were then awarded a penalty in the 23rd minute when Chiefs hardman Willard Katsande fouled Tlolane. Ramagalela stepped up to take the spot-kick, but his attempt was saved by Amakhosi goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo.
Minutes later, though, Ramagalela made up for his penalty miss when his long range shot swept into net to give Polokwane a 1-0 lead.
Chiefs had no choice but to pour forward in search of an equaliser. They had two chances just before half-time, but the one attempt was cleared by Polokwane’s Thabang Klaas and the other, a Siphiwe Tshabalala shot, was saved by Chigova.
It was all Chiefs in the early stages of the second half and it was no surprise their dominance paid off in the form of an equalising goal when Tshabalala’s cross was headed in by Parker. A few minutes later, it was 2-1 to Amakhosi when recent signing Joseph Molangoane netted his first goal for the club.
But with the Soweto club dominant, and looking to further increase their lead, they left themselves open to the counter, and Polokwane took full advantage. After Tshabalala was dispossessed of the ball, the Limpopo team stormed forward and it was Tlolane who squeezed the ball between the legs of Khuzwayo to make the score 2-2.
Just when it looked like it would end all-square, and yet another draw for luckless Chiefs, Katsande popped up to score a spectacular winning goal deep into injury time. With time running out, the Zimbabwean strongman rifled a shot, from just outside the box, that screamed into the top corner of the net.