Kaizer Chiefs loss their second match of 2008 on Saturday evening as they went down to SuperSport United in an ABSA Premiership game in Tshwane, Elias Pelembe of SuperSport got the games only goal in first half of stoppage time. Chiefs had plentiful opportunity to have left this game with the minimum of one point, but for some poor finishing The Amakhosi were left thinking of what might have been. David Obua who was the darling in midweek with his wonder goal against BidVest Wits squandered what can only be described as an easy chance when alone with the keeper his shot had no power and it resembled more of a back pass then an attempt on goal.

Missing Chiefs

How Chiefs went into the half time break a goal down must have troubled coach Muhsin Ertugral, given the number of clear cut goal scoring opportunities that were presented to his team. Starting with Shaun Bartlett in the 19th minute he was able to push clear from an angle tried to chip Onyango, the SuperSport keeper managed to jump back wards and catch the ball. Just three minutes later a thunderous shot from Kaizer Motaung Junior screamed over Onyango’s crossbar as Kaizer Junior tried to pick out Tshabalala with a cross towards goal the ball was cleared back to him. From all of 25 yards out he struck the ball at the first attempts, it rocketed inches over Onyango’s goal.

No power

David Obua was gifted with the chance to put Chiefs ahead but he could not hit the target as his finishing did not have the necessary ammunition to test Onyango. Obua was sent clean through on goal in the 30th minute with time on his hand to pick his spot, he tried to side foot the ball past Onyango he failed to properly connect with ball and he rolled the ball back straight into the waiting arms of the goalkeeper. A disappointing effort from him considering that he has in the past scored spectacular goals under more testing circumstances.

Knock Out

With all the chances that went a begging for The Amakhosi one had the uneasy feeling that SuperSport could snatch a goal and they did, some what against the run of play the visitors took the lead in first half injury time. Tzabedze sent in a cross from the right which Mphela managed to touch flick backwards on to the head of Fabian McCarthy, the ball then ran loose to Pelembe who with his weaker left foot struck the ball past Khune who was at full stretch trying to stop the ball.

Innovative change

Chiefs began the game using Ditheko Mototo at left midfield but mid way through the first half Muhsin Ertugral opted to pull off Mototo and brought on Siphiwe Tshabalala, who came on and was really enterprising and creative on the left wing. Within a space of four minutes in the second half Tshabalala helped carve a path towards goal for both Kaizer Junior and Shaun Bartlett. The 53rd minute saw Tshabalala pick out Kaizer Junior with a delightful chipped ball from the midfield, Junior did well to control the ball and from an angle hit the ball to the far post although it did manage to beat Onyango he could not hit the target. Then just a few minutes later Tshabalala was able to throw a ball over the SuperSport defence, which Shaun Bartlett got to and met on the volley again was unable to find the net and hit the ball over the goal.

Mphela wide

Just as it was in the first half as Chiefs attacked the feeling that SuperSport could find a second always lingered, they came close in the 72nd minute when Katlego Mphela picked up the ball on the right side of the Chiefs 18 yard area. With his back to the goal he turned Fabian McCarthy and with Itumeleng Khune off his line, Mphela’s shot sailed just wide and hit the side netting.

Match Details:

Kaizer Chiefs (4-4-2): 32. Khune, 2. Tau, 3. Bhasera, 6. McCarthy, 35. Jonathan Quartey,

8. Nengomasha, 27. Sibeko, 13. Obua, 33. Mototo, 7. Motaung Jnr, 17. Bartlett

Substitutions:

In: 14. Siphiwe Tshabalala Out: 33. Ditheko Mototo 21 min


In: 18. Arthur Zwane Out: 13. David Obua 58 min


In: 5. Mabhudi Khenyeza Out: 35. Jonathan Quartey 68 min

Substitutes not used: 30. Baron, 24. Mathebula, 25. Matle, 20. Zuke.

SuperSport: 31. Onyango, 2. Katza, 3. Khumalo, 4. Mahoa, 6. Gaxa, 9. Mphela,

11. Pelembe, 13. Poggenpoel, 16. Madubanya, 19. Erasmus, 17. Tzabedze

Substitutions:

In: 5. Dennis Masina Out: 19. Kermit Erasmus 60 min


In: 26. Thabo September Out: 2. Ricardo Katza 63 min



In: 28. Sibusiso Mahlangu Out: 17. Tony Tzabedze 70 min

Substitutes not used: 1. Arendse, 12. Lemasse, 21. Mashego.

Cautions: Yellow Cards, 17. Tony Tzabedze (time wasting) 70 min,

31. Dennis Onyango (time wasting) 80 min, 6. Siboniso Gaxa 82 min.

Match Officials:


Referee: Phillip Tinyane


Assistant 1: Enoch Molefe


Assistant 2: Luyanda Somi


4th Official: Matthew Dyer


Match Commissioner: Adeel Carelse