Veteran midfielder John ‘Shoes’ Moshoeu was on form as title contenders Kaizer Chiefs arrested their mini slump with an emphatic 4-1 victory against relegation candidates Zulu Royals at Soccer City on Sunday.

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Chiefs went into this match against the backdrop of two successive defeats against archrivals

Orlando Pirates (1-0) and SuperSport United (3-0) - results that almost threatened the

derail of their championship ambitions.

After the Pirates defeat, there was talk of complacency and, perhaps, lack of commitment

from certain players. The SuperSport result almost conformed these theories and there were

doubts among some supporters about the team's capability to win the title.

On this occasion, Moshoeu took the responsibility as he led by example to score three

fantastic goals to take his overall tally to 10.

Following a positive start from Chiefs the visitors were clearly under pressure and

battled to deal with Chiefs attacks. An attempted clearance by former Chiefs defender

Peter Matshitse on four minutes fell on the path of Moshoeu, who fired Amakhosi in the

lead with a fine half volley.

However, Chiefs were temporarily shocked by Royals who snatched the equaliser on 21 minutes. It

was more of a gift goal as a low corner by Ivan Zwane - the subject of a protest by Chiefs

who claimed he should have never played as he had three bookings - was stabbed into the

Chiefs net by defender Fabian McCarthy in a frantic bid to clear. Former Chiefs midfielder

Lucky Maselesele laid claim to the goal but there was no doubt as to who the scorer was.

Chiefs were back in the driving seat four minutes before the break. A long ball from

goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez was flicked over by striker Patrick Mayo to David Radebe, who

headed into the path of Moshoeu. The veteran midfielder made no mistake, as he restored

Amakhosi’s lead five minutes before the break.

Royals never played like a side staring down the barrel, with their leading striker Jacky

Ledwaba almost overshadowed by the Chiefs defence. Sensational midfielder Thabiso Malatsi

had earlier in the week promised to terrorise his former club but he was given little

space to manoeuvre while Junior Khanye had the freedom of the field as he kept the Royals

on their toes.

Khanye ran the length of the field deep in the second half, leaving his markers on the

floor but was unlucky as his volley crushed against the crossbar. That was just one of his

many impressive runs throughout the match where he had troubled Robson Muchichwa at

left-back.

Chiefs all but sealed the game five minutes before time with Nengomasha supplying a superb pass to

Moshoeu and the veteran midfielder made no mistake as he completed a rare hat-trick

despite pressure from Gary Goldstone. A minute later Moshoeu returned the favour as he

supplied Nengomasha for his first ever Chiefs goal.

Moshoeu could have increased his tally to four deep in stoppages after collecting the ball

from second half substitute Collins Mbesuma but his effort only rattled the crossbar.

Spencer, who played in midfield on this occasion, had a rare opportunity to stretch the

lead on 58 minutes but his shot was blocked by Ormshaw and a follow up by Musasa was just

off target.

There was drama on 66 minutes as Chiefs coach Ted Dumitru was ordered off the dugout and

will as such miss two matches. It was not clear what Dumitru had done to earn the sending

off.

Chiefs played the match under protest on the basis that Royals winger Ivan Zwane had three

bookings. According to league rules, any player with three bookings has to serve an

automatic one-match suspension.

Amakhosi are now seven points ahead of title rivals Ajax Cape Town and will need to win

two in their remaining three fixtures to take the crown.

For Royals it could be a long way back to the National First Division if they fail to win

their remaining two matches.

Teams:

Kaizer Chiefs: 1-Rowen Fernandez, 14-David Kannemeyer, 6-Fabian McCarthy, 5-Patrick

Mabedi, 4-Cyril Nzama, 28-Derrick Spencer, 13-Junior Khanye (Fredericks 80), 91-John

Moshoeu, 8-Tenashe Nengomasha, 21-Patrick Mayo (Mbesuma 90), 31-David Radebe (Musasa 46).

Zulu Royals: Gareth Ormshaw, 19-Joseph Shange, 28-Gary Goldstone, 27-Robson Muchichwa

(Mkhize 82), 25-Ivan Zwane, 15-John Maduka, 26-Asanda Ngobese (Buthelezi 46), 24-Peter

Matshitse, Thabiso Malatsi (Adamu 65), 22-Jacky Ledwaba, 14-Lucky Maselesele.

Referee: Jonas Nhlapo.