Ten-men Kaizer Chiefs ended the year, 2009 on a high note when the beat AmaZulu by 1-0 at Loftus Stadium on Wednesday night thanks to the 37th minute strike by Nkosinathi Nhleko.

Vladimir Vermezovic had made one change to the team that lost to Mamelodi Sundowns over the weekend with Lawrence Molekwane making way for Zimbabwean left-back, Jimmy Jambo who missed the last encounter due to suspension.

The game was being replayed after it was called off after 20 minutes due to bad weather conditions earlier this month.

Chiefs looking at completing a double over AmaZulu after beating them in Durban early in the season but it was the latter who threatened twice inside five minutes when Thabang Rooi did well to block a well taken shot by Sibusiso Hadebe and then Itumeleng Khune reacted fast to thwart the danger following an un cleared free kick.

AmaZulu continued to put pressure on the hosts with Dumisani Ngwenya calling an alert Khune into action with a fierce shot but the Ventersdorp born was equalled to the task.

In the 18th minute Chiefs came close opening the score when Pere Ariweriyai made a superb clearance denying Nhleko who was brilliantly set up by Siphiwe Tshabalala.

The latter was in the thick of things few seconds later as he set up Nhleko again, this time from the corner kick but Mbongeni Mzimela parried it for corner kick, goalless at 20th minute.

It was not a surprise when the Glamour Boys took a deserved lead through Nhleko beauty in the 37th minute after AmaZulu defence had failed to clear an initial cross from Jimmy Jambo, 1-0 to Chiefs at half time.

There was drama in the opening of second half when Khune got a straight red card from referee, Jerome Damon for allegedly punching Ariweriyai in the face. It was Chiefs’ first red card of the season. Defender, Marc Van Heerden stepped up to take the penalty but failed to beat Arthur Bartman who had come in for Siphiwe Tshabalala.

It was a frustrating night for former Kaizer Chiefs captain, Neil Tovey who came 7th on the list of 40 players voted by Amakhosi magazine readers as part of the Club celebrating 40 years of existence in January.

The Glamour Boys, now one man down did not lie down and continued to attack with burly striker, Nhleko asking lot of questions from AmaZulu defence.

On the other side, AmaZulu tried hard to use the numerical advantaged but found the Chiefs’ defence in captain, Jimmy Tau, Thomas Sweswe, Thabang Rooi and Jambo in an uncompromising mood and when they managed to beat the defence they found Bartman at his best.

The Glamour Boys on the other side of the field continued to probe and they should have been rewarded deep in the stoppage time when substitute, Mandla Masango was brought down inside the box only for Josta Dladla’s spot kick to be saved by Mzimela.

At the end Glamour Boys managed to take maximum points back to Naturena and go third in the log with 41 points behind Mamelodi Sundowns (44 points) and SuperSport United (47 points).

Chiefs: Khune, Tau (Capt.), Jambo, Sweswe, Rooi, Letsholonyane, Nengomasha, Dladla, Nhleko (Motaung Jr. 85), Tshabalala (Bartman 49), Nale (Masango 73)

Substitutes not used: Bartman, Masenamela, Isaacs, Torrealba

Technical Team


Vladimir Vermezovic (Head Coach)


Donald Khuse (Assistant Coach)


Martine Human (Team Physio)

AmaZulu: Mzimela, Biyela, Van Heerden, Ariweriyai, Bishop, Ngxabi, Hadebe (Mabaso 77), Mokoro (Noble 71), Ngwenya (Ratson 81), Dlamini, Zwane

Substitutes not used: Gindre, Zwane, Mkhonza, Chintu

Match Officials


Jerome Damon (Referee)


Enoch Molefe (1st Assistant)


Steven Moshotle (2nd Assistant)


Victor Gomes (4th Official)


Stan Swart (Match Commissioner)