Limpopo Soccer Challenge


Match Number: 1


Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane


Date: 8 July 2006

Chiefs began their pre season campaign with a well earned 1-0 victory over Black Leopards at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday morning, and will now wait to see who they will play in the final. In all, Amakhosi were impressive in their first outing since coming back to training about two weeks ago, although it was not plain sailing for Chiefs as Black Leopards provided Ernst Middendorp with a number of nervy moments.

It was The Amakhosi who started the more sprightly of the two teams, as they created their first chance of the game as early as the third minute when Tinashe Nengomasha played in Shaun Bartlett. The Chiefs new boy was unable to get onto the score sheet as Tjilonee in the Leopards goal reacted quickly to thwart him.

Three minutes later the crowd were entertained with end-to-end action as David Obua lost the ball and Leopards took advantage of the space gained and Maluleke brought out the best in Rowen Fernandez with a long-range effort. Fernandez quickly got rid of the ball and found David Radebe, whose shot was blocked by the Leopards defence.

Fernandez, standing in as captain against Leopards in the place of the injured Cyril Nzama, had the wind knocked out of him as he went to collect a loose ball and collided with Leopards Sikwhivhilu.

The Chiefs captain did get back up to his feet and continued to labour on for Amakhosi, as he made an outstanding one-handed save on 24 minutes. As Mahlangu neatly turned Jimmy Tau to get a shot in from a difficult angle but Fernandez was up to the challenge and saved brilliantly.

Just past the half-hour mark Chiefs got the goal they were looking for after the troublesome Gert Schalkwyk was brought down, David Obua stepped up and struck the ensuing free kick with a vengeance. The ball sailed over the wall and glided into the back of the net, giving Tjilonee no chance of stopping the ball.

At the start of the second half Ernst Middendorp rung the changes and went for a more attacking formation bringing on Louis Agyemang to partner Shaun Bartlett up front, it seemed to pay dividends as the Chiefs front men carved open the Leopards defence. Another second-half substitute, Arthur Zwane, wasted a hatful of opportunities which fell his way in the latter part of the game. On one occasion ,Zwane struck across goal as Louis Agyemang fed him with a quick lay off, Zwane though spurned the chance and watched on in horror as his shot flew well wide.

Leopards continued to push for an equaliser and were unfortunate not to have their way onto the score sheet as they hit Fernandez's cross bar with a well-taken free kick with fifteen minutes to go. Fernandez though reacted quickest and collected the rebound with a number of Leopards players bearing down on his goal.

Middendorp pronounced himself happy with the result and Chiefs will be back at the Peter Mokaba Stadium later on Saturday afternoon to play the winner of the match between Dynamos and Costa Do Sol of Mozambique. Chiefs will be looking to bring home their first piece of silverware for the new season on Saturday when they contest the final of the Limpopo Soccer Challenge.

Line Up’s:

Black Leopards: 1. E. Tjilonee, 16. F. Matola, 19. N. Lubanza Dio, 20. J. Maluleke,

6. F. Duel, 22. K. Mwamba, 10. R. Neambi (7. Teboga 82 min), 21.P. Mponda,

9. M. Sikwhivhilu (15. Costa 59 min), 3. H. Toromba,

8. S. Mahlangu (28. Ramudzuli 45 min)

Substitutes: 15. K. Costa, 28.R. Ramudzuli, 31. M. Thusi, 7. M. Tebogo,

11. C. Netshidziwhe, 14. D. Ntambani, 12. M. Sibayoni.

Coach: D. Motombo

Kaizer Chiefs: 1. R. Fernandez, 2. J. Tau, 10. D. Obua (12. Mooki 45 min),

14. S. Mkhonza, 21. P. Mayo, 8. T. Nengomasha,

13. D. Mathebula (20. Agyemang 45 min), 18. S. Nkosi (17. Zwane 65 min),

3. G. Schalkwyk (5. Ngobese 45 min), 7. S. Bartlett (19. K. Motaung Jnr 65 min),

11. D. Radebe (22. Mototo 45 min)

Substitutes: 16. I. Khune, 23. R. Wuest, 6. G. Sibeko, 17. A. Zwane, 15. F. McCarthy,

12. T. Mooki, 9. L. Mzizi, 5.E. Ngobese, 22. D. Mototo, 4. D. Spencer,

20. L. Agyemang, 19. K. Motaung Jnr, 24. J. Boisako

Coach: E. Middendorp