Posted in News on Feb 19, 2005.
Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma grabbed his second hat-trick of the season, with David Radebe claiming his second goal in seven matches, but it was not such a festive day for Emmanuel “Scara” Ngobese, who had to watch the last 45 minutes from the stands.
The hosts took the field with the hopes of nursing their dented egos following the Durban disaster in midweek. The Brazilians had most of their stars out through suspension or injury, but nevertheless erupted like a volcano in the opening minutes of the game. They could have killed the match off in this period but lacked the killer instinct and this proved deadly as Amakhosi never looked back once they found their footing.
Both sides had a man sent off at the end of each half, but it was Chiefs who displayed great character when, playing with 10 men after midfielder Ngobese was sent off on the stroke of halftime, they managed to fend off any potential threat from Sundowns.
After a subdued start, Chiefs discovered their magic touch in the last five minutes of the first half to snatch the lead from right under the noses of their hosts. Chiefs were literally against the ropes in the first 20 minutes of the game and were lucky to survive the Sundowns onslaught.
Sundowns started well and ran the rings around Chiefs from the word go and seemed a sure bet to go into the break with a healthy lead. Paulos Masehe gave Sundowns hope on nine minutes, as he profited from a good cross by midfielder Josta Dladla.
With every touch on the ball and their organised build-ups, it became evident that Sundowns, still recovering from a shock 5-2 defeat against Golden Arrows on Wednesday, would be hard to beat. They almost went further ahead on 39 minutes when Masehe rattled the woodwork with a forceful strike from just outside the box.
If anything, that strike appeared to have woken up Amakhosi, who soon found the equaliser through David Radebe on 43 minutes. Winger Arthur Zwane, who had been relatively less potent for the better part of the half, delivered one of his trademark crosses into the box and Radebe was not about the waste this opportunity. The Amakhosi striker used his head to restore parity.
Sundowns had hardly digested that equaliser when Zwane delivered yet another dangerous cross and this time it was Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma’s turn. He too used his head and suddenly Amakhosi were in the driving seat on the stroke of halftime.
However, that was not the end of drama. Deep in stoppages, Ngobese caught Vuyo Mere’s right foot and this meant trouble, as the Amakhosi midfielder was already on a yellow card. Referee Jonas Nhlapo did not hesitate to eject the classy midfielder, leaving Chiefs with an unenviable task of defending their lead with 10 men in the last 45 minutes.
As expected, Sundowns immediately took the game to Chiefs at the start of the second half and Rowen Fernandez had to be at his best to deny Dladla on 47 minutes. Then on 57 minutes the Amakhosi keeper then denied Siaka Tiena, who earlier saw his cracking shot crush against the woodwork on 51 minutes. Tiena left the field before the final whistle after collecting a second yellow card on 90 minutes.
Sundowns never relented and were finally rewarded on 57 minutes when Godfrey Sapula fired in a loose ball from outside the box to restore parity. Patrick Mayo’s clearance from the corner could only go as far as Sapula, who struck a superb goal.
As the Sundowns celebrations were slowing down, Chiefs found the rhythm and a good combination between Radebe and Mbesuma restored the lead on 59 minutes. Radebe came charging through the middle and, as he entered the Sundowns area, delayed his pass to Mbesuma for his brace.
Two minutes later Mbesuma completed his hat-trick as he headed home a well-taken free-kick by midfielder Gerland Sibeko.
Sundowns supporters could clearly not take the battering any more as they immediately turned the heat on their technical bench to make changes.
It was a thrill-a-minute heart-stopping game that, on any day, could have gone either way but on this occasion it was Chiefs who came fully prepared and not even an 83rd minute goal by second half substitute Joseph Mthombeni could spoil their celebrations.
A second heavy defeat for Sundowns, in which they conceded nine goals in four days, is likely to press club management to call a crisis meeting with the players and the technical staff.
Chiefs do not have such problems, but they will do well to quickly put this game behind and prepare for another potentially explosive clash against SuperSport United next Wednesday.
