Amakhosi Redeem Themselves.

Highlands vs. Kaizer Chiefs
Makhulong Stadium, Thembisa
Kick-Off: 19H30 p.m.

FT Score: Highlands 0 (0): (1) (0) Kaizer Chiefs (Lebese 65’)

In what seemed to be one of the most anticipated matches of midweek amongst the PSL fixtures, it
all has been so because of the Kaizer Chiefs’ poor run in form. In a clash against newly promoted
Highlands one could expect Kaizer Chiefs to easily bag the three points, but with a whole a lot of
pandemonium at Naturena it has been a worrying concern whenever Chiefs play.

In the first 45 minutes both teams played well but yet in patches, in the first ten minutes Highlands
looked livelier compared to Chiefs, they pressed and already in the second minute Mphahlele
committed a foul against Mashumba. Minutes after Chiefs were starting to pick themselves up as
Lebese was released by Ekstein and his tame shot resulted in Kaizer Chiefs’ first corner of the half
that too couldn’t bring the first goal of the match.

Highlands with recruits from some of the PSL teams, had Mbesuma have his first attempt at goal
going to high from a Franklin Cale cross. As Chiefs continued with picking themselves up Twala’s
finish from Ekstein and Lebese’s great work of combination went way over to produce a goal. Chiefs
applied the pressure and had Highlands pinned in their half for some moments. On attempt to break
away on a counter Gordinho took one for the team by committing a cynical foul which resulted in
him bagging a yellow card.

It ended 0-0 in the first half and a lot of question to be asked concerning being clinical in the final
third.

Second stanza of the match Chiefs looked the most sharpest in the first ten minutes and caused a
few threats for Highlands. Katsaviro was introduced in place of Manqele that proved to be a more
tactical move by coach Komphela, he add a bit of pace and in the 62 minute Twala missed a lovely
opportunity to put Chiefs ahead when his header in the six yards box glanced wide. Moments after
he was brought down by Leonard and it saw Chiefs being awarded a penalty, George Lebese stood
up and beat Kapini to put Chiefs ahead in the 65th minute.

The men from Naturena introduced Simphiwe Tshabalala for goalscorer Lebese, Tshabalala returns
from a length injury and proved his fitness in the past weekend in the MDC scoring the winning goal
for the MDC side.

Highlands tried to cause a few problems for Chiefs through Theron on the right and successfully
beating Khumalo but that didn’t result to anything much.

In the dying moments of additional time, Itumeleng Khune found himself at fault of collecting the
ball in the air when he stepped his foot out of the 18-yard box with the ball still in his hands, a freekick was awarded to Highlands and Khune took the responsibility in making the save. That happened
to be the last kick off the match as Kaizer Chiefs recorded their first league victory since April.




Starting Line Up:
Highands: Kapini, Leonard, Mbara, Ngalo, Ledwaba, Khuboni, Khwela, Cale (Zwane), Mbesuma
(Mvala), Garcia (Theron), Mashumba
Chiefs: Khune, Mphahlele, Mathoho, Gordinho, Khumalo, Katsande, Twala (Parker), Maluleka,
Lebese (Tshabalala), Ekstein, Manqele (Katsaviro)


By Vuyolethu Sithatu