Manchester City bounced back from the defeat in the hands of Orlando Pirates over the weekend to beat Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in an entertaining encounter played at Absa Stadium on Tuesday night. Steven Ireland scored the only goal of the match with an easy tap in the 45th minute.

The Glamour Boys launching a stunning new Nike jersey had made a return to the same ground where they won the first of their first of the five Vodacom Challenge trophies back in 2000 and they were the first to threaten when David Mathebula’s long range shot went just over the bar inside first five minutes.

Manchester City mentor, Mark Hughes had recalled his most experienced players with England midfielder, Gareth Barry anchoring the midfield while Shaun Wright-Phillips occupied the right side of the midfield.

It was Chiefs though who seem to create havoc every time they had possession of the ball with Mandla Masango showing Wayne Bridge no respect on the right. At some stage the Zambian born referee warned the former Chelsea left-back of his overzealous tackles to the youngster.

With Chiefs all out in the attack Man City got a break through when Steven Ireland found himself one on one with Itumeleng Khune put the latter pulled a good save, 0-0 at Absa Stadium after 20 minutes.

The Glamour Boys who were threatening throughout came close opening the scoring in the 36th minute of the game when Kaizer Motaung Jr’s tap in went agonisingly wide. This was following a terrific run that was coupled by a sublime cross from left-back, Punch Masenamela.

In the 38th minute, David “Hosi ya mina” Mathebula forced a good save out of goalkeeper, Staurt Taylor with a neatly taken shot from 25 metres.

City who had their backs against the wall most of the half opened the scoring when Steven Ireland tapped following a cross from Fillipe Caicedo, 1-0 to the visitors at half time.

Stuart Taylor was at his best again in the 51st minute as he dived low to keep David Mathebula’s shot out. This was following a good one-two between the Limpopo born midfielder and Kaizer Motaung Jr.

Vladimir Vermezovic gave midfield cum striker, Mthokozisi Yende his first appearance for the Club when he replaced Abia Nale in the 55th minute.

Chiefs suffered a set back when Valery Nahayo was replaced by Jeffrey Ntuka in the 75th minute due to injury. The lanky Burundian looked impressive in the heart of defence for the Glamour Boys alongside Thomas Sweswe.

Kaizer Motaung Jr who had work tirelessly the whole evening should have grabbed an equaliser fro the Glamour Boys when he dragged his shot wide after City defence failed to clear the ball at the back. Then a cracking strike from Thomas Sweswe went just wide as Chiefs searched for an elusive equaliser but the night belonged to Manchester City as they bounced back from a defeat last Saturday.

The Glamour Boys travel to Port Elizabeth on Wednesday for the match up against rivals, Orlando Pirates.

Chiefs: Khune, Mmbooi, Masenamela, Sweswe, Nahayo, Nengomasha (Capt.), Masango (Musona 69), Letsholonyane (Dladla 65), Motuang Jr., Mathebula, Nale(Yende 55)

Substitutes not used: Ngobeni, Metsimetsi, Torrealba, Lebese, Sibeko, Molekwane, Jambo, Nhleko, Ntuka, Bulu

Technical Team

Vladimir Vermezovic (Head Coach)


Donald Khuse (Assistant Coach)


Rainer Dinkelacker (Goalkeeper Coach)


Elsa Storm (Fitness Trainer)

City: Taylor, Zabaleta, Bridge (Garrido 71), Mee, M’Given, Writ-Phillips, De Jong, Barry (Vidal 65), Etuhu, Ireland (Petrov 46), Ciacedo (Benjani 46)

Substitutes not used: Neilsen, Petrov, Wiss, Bojinov

Technical Team


Mark Hughes (Head Coach)

Match Officials

Welington Kaoma (Referee)


Yugesh Anjith (1st Assistant)


Shaheen Salot (2nd Assistant)