Playing Conditions: Gentle Easterly Wind, temperature kick off 22.5°C

The Amakhosi kept up their hunt for a top eight finish with a scrappy and dogged performance against Golden Arrows in Durban on Wednesday afternoon, which ensured that

Chiefs keep up their unbeaten run against Arrows Durban. It is a stretch which now goes

back to February 2003 when Mabhudi Khenyeza helped Arrows defeat Chiefs; this time around

it was a solitary strike from him in the 21st minute which helped Chiefs earn the three

points.

Khenyeza was a marked man through out the match but he managed to shrug off his marker when he met Siphiwe Tshabalala's free kick midway through the first half to put Chiefs in front.

Arrows came back strongly in the second half but some stern rear guard

action by Chiefs as well as their own inept finishing saw them unable to find an

equalizer. Itumeleng Khune also did well to keep a clean sheet his most telling

contributions saw him make a goal line save off a Vumani Mavundla attempt at goal who was

a few yards from goal. It might not have been a pretty win for Chiefs Muhsin Ertugral

though would have been pleased with the points, which eases the pressure on Chiefs top

eight qualification push their next assignment will be against traditional foes Orlando

Pirates on the 10th May.

Mooted Celebration

Mabhudi Khenyeza was tightly marked throughout the first half and it came as no

surprise when he made Arrows pay dearly, for the one moment that they allowed him a clear

path to goal. It came in the 21st minute when Gerald Sibeko was brought down on the right

hand touchline some six meters from the start of the Arrows 18 yard area, Siphiwe

Tshabalala sent in a vicious curling free kick which floated towards the back post. Shaun

Bartlett ran forward causing a decoy throwing Arrows keeper Wardle off his path out of

goal and the ball fell to Khenyeza who was able to head home from close range for his

ninth goal of the season, there was some confusion after Khenyeza had scored. As he did

not celebrate scoring against his old team and instead amidst a chorus of boos he raised

his hands above his head and applauded the crowd.

No protection

Mabhudi Khenyeza was consistently harassed by the Arrows defenders and after being

kicked out of possession in the 34th minute by home team defender Musa Bilankulu, he

remonstrated with the referee. Instead of being offered protection for the manner in which

he was being tossed about Khenyeza was given a yellow card, which means that he will miss

Chiefs next league game the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates on the 10th May.

Arrows fly

Towards the end of the first half Arrows produced to constructive moves which saw them

come nervously close to finding an equalizer, Philane Shange found Manqana in space with a

straight forward pass along the ground four minutes before half time. Manqana was free

just inside the Chiefs 18 yard area and took a first time shot with his left foot which

went just past the right hand upright of Itumeleng Khune's goal. In the final minute

of the first half Khune misjudged Ratsoana's cross from the right, as he came off to

punch away the ball which was floating towards him he fluffed at thin air in his attempt

to get the ball. Fortunately for him though Jimmy Tau did offer cover behind him and made

a timely tackle on Nale who was trying to get hold of the lose ball, Tau was able to get

the ball away to safety.

Saving grace

The second half was characterized by Golden Arrows launching attack after attack, while

most of the onslaught by the home team was dealt with by the Chiefs backline Itumeleng

Khune had to come up with a huge save and in the 70th minute he did. Depending on who your

allegiance lies with it could be described as a wonderful save or terrible miss, a corner

came in from the right and was not cleared the ball bobbled around and fell inside the

Chiefs six yard area and fell invitingly to Mavundla who side footed the ball. His

thoughts must have turned to his goal celebration but Itumeleng Khune dropped to the fall,

and made himself big to block the ball with his legs. A save which ultimately lead to him

being named as the man of the match.

Arrows off target

In the final quarter of the match Arrows could still have found themselves back on

level terms they squandered both chances, Richard Henyekane squared a ball to Khuboni on

75 minutes and he from in line with the goal dragged his shot wide. With five minutes of

normal time Philane Shange who could have rewarded himself for putting in a great effort,

by finding an equalizer for Arrows. Instead the good work done by substitute Mshengu who

stormed down the right and picked Henyekane out at the far post, with an excellent raking

ball along the ground. Which Khune first came for then went back on to his goal line, was

wasted as Henyekane punted the ball high and well over Itumeleng Khune's goal.

Match Details:

Golden Arrows (4-5-1): 01. Wardle, 21. Sangweni, 29. Manqana, 22. Dikgacoi, 5. Musonda,

18. Ratsoana, 37. Mavundla, 15. Shange, 23. Henyekane, 16. Nale, 28. Bilankulu

Substitutions:

In: 19. Vusumuzi Vilakazi Out: 16. Abia Nale 62 min


In: 7. Thokozani Mshengu Out: 29. Njabula Manqana 70 min


In: 9. Kagiso Senamela Out: 37. Vumani Mavundla 82 min


Substitutes not used: 36. Lupini, 25. Khuboni, 34. Zwane, 40. Gopane

Cautions: 18. Billy Ratsoana (late tackle on Bhasera) 13 min

Coach: Manqoba Mnqithi


Assistant Coach: Mandla Ncikazi


Assistant Coach: Phera Ratlhankana


Goalkeeper Coach: Moses Khanyeza

Kaizer Chiefs (4-4-2): 32. Khune, 2. Tau, 3. Bhasera, 6. McCarthy, 29. Tsotetsi, 14.

Tshabalala, 18. Zwane, 27. Sibeko, 8. Nengomasha, 17. Bartlett, 5. Khenyeza

Substitutions:

In: 26. Thuso Phala Out: 17. Shaun Bartlett 61 min


In: 7. Kaizer Motaung Junior Out: 5. Mabhudi Khenyeza 66 min


In: 10. Michael Nkambule Out: 18. Arthur Zwane 71 min


Substitutes not used: 1. Bocsker, 28. Spencer, 25. Matle, 23. Bulu

Cautions: Yellow Cards, 5. Khenyeza (dissent) 34 min

Coach: Muhsin Ertugral


Assistant Coach: Fani Madida

Goalkeeper Coach: Rainer Dinkelacker

Match Officials:

Referee: Thabo Nkosi

Assistant 1: Collin Nethsingolwe

Assistant 2: Leon Struis

4th Official: Yusuf Vawda

Match Commissioner: Vincent Allie