A goal in each half from on loan Chiefs striker Lucky Mzizi helped Amazulu record a much needed 2-1 victory over the Amakhosi, who have had a nightmare of a week against teams from Durban. A few days ago Chiefs were eliminated from the ABSA Cup by Golden Arrows, on Saturday in Rustenburg it was Arrows Durban rivals Amazulu who caused a major upset as they defeated Chiefs in Rustenburg and took three valuable points in their fight against relegation home with them.

Chiefs drew first blood in the game when Arthur Zwane charged down the right and played a gentle ball to Serge Djiehoua, who battled his way past Martin Carelse and sent in a ball across the ground towards Shaun Bartlett. The Chiefs striker playing his first game in almost two months, could not control his shot and instead knocked the ball over the Amazulu post from a few yards out.

A minute later and it was Amazulu who were presented with a goal scoring opportunity, after Cyril Nzama brought down Sibusiso Ntuli on the edge of the Chiefs 19 yard area. Lucky Mzizi stepped up and hit the ball through the cracks in the Amakhosi defensive wall; luckily enough Rowen Fernandez had tracked the ball and was able to easily pick up the ball.

The game was played at a pedestrian pace through out the first half with Amazulu leaving big gaps at the back, Chiefs were able to exploit the space through Arthur Zwane who on 18 minutes. Played a ball into the danger area intended for Cyril Nzama, the cross was intercepted by Martin Carelse; the Amazulu defender then proceeded to knock the ball towards Serge Djiehoua who wasted no time in flinging himself at the ball. He did well to send in an over head kick towards the Amazulu and narrowly missed his intended target.

On the half hour mark and Chiefs squandered another opportunity when Cyril Nzama headed wide of goal after meeting a Siyabonga Nkosi cross from the right, on 35 minutes Arthur Zwane floated in a pass which deceived the Amazulu defence. The ball fell kindly for Ditheko Mototo who ran unchecked into the opposition penalty area, but he was unable to hit the target and headed wide of Motsoeneng goal.

As half time approached Arthur Zwane saw Motsoeneng comically stopped his cross from the right, Amazulu quickly counter attacked and the ball found its way to Sibusiso Ntuli on the left. Ntuli quickly switched the play and sent the ball over to Lucky Mzizi who from the edge of the Chiefs penalty area, hit a first time shot which flew hit the roof of the Chiefs net. Amazulu lead by a goal to nil at the half way stage.

Five minutes after the restart and The Amakhosi found themselves on level terms; Siyabonga Nkosi laid on a low pass to Serge Djiehoua, who drilled the ball home to score his second league goal of the season. Two minutes later and Amazulu could have taken the lead again Mzizi was again the culprit, as he unleashed a shot from eight yards away which beat Fernandez all ends up but the post came to Chiefs rescue.

After scoring early on in the first half The Amakhosi were struggling to create scoring chances, one did come their way on the hour mark. First Siyabonga Nkosi had a close range effort stopped by Motsoeneng the Amazulu goalie could only parry the ball, which fell to Scara Ngobese who fared no better as Belux cleared the ball off the goal line and spared his goalies blushes.

With sixteen minutes remaining Mzizi was able to complete his brace, once again Amazulu were able to spring the Chiefs offside trap, Jan Sillo who beat the trap sent a cross to the far post. Where Mzizi was lurking the diminutive striker headed the ball across the face of goal, Fernandez could not do much and the ball skid past him into the back of the net. Chiefs did have a number of attempts go wide after Amazulu had gone in front for a second times, but it was the visitors who could have extended their lead in injury time when they had a double barrel chance to have scored a third goal. Xolani Mabaso shook Fernandez goal with a wicked shot from distance, on the follow up Fernandez reacted quickly and ran out to block Kagiso Senamela’s shot.

Victory over Amazulu would have moved Chiefs up to second place on the log, their inability to convert the many chances they had ultimately cost them the game, Ernst Middendorp will not be happy to have lost to the team currently propping up the bottom of the table. Amazulu with their win over Chiefs on Saturday evening recorded just their second victory over Chiefs in fourteen PSL games contested between the teams since 1996.

Line Up’s:

Kaizer Chiefs: 1. R. Fernandez, 2. J. Tau, 4. C. Nzama (11. Ngobese 46 min), 6. F. McCarthy, 21. P. Mayo (8. Nengomasha 46 min), 33. D. Mototo,

18. A. Zwane (7. Motaung 67 min), 28. D. Spencer, 10. S. Nkosi, 17. S. Bartlett,

9. S. Djiehoua

Substitutes: 32. I. Khune, 12. T. Mooki, 7. K. Motaung Jnr, 27. G. Sibeko, 8. T. Nengomasha, 25. G. Schalkwyk, 11. E. Ngobese

Amazulu: 30. T. Motsoeneng, 25. K. Belux, 2. E. Ntabele, 27. M. Carelse, 24. X. Mabaso,

78. T. Mnguni, 23. L. Mzizi, 26. J. Sillo (80. Molekoa 80 min), 7. L. Ngxabi (17. Tsiu 63 min), 19. K. Senamela, 14. S. Ntuli (8. Lota 63 min)

Substitutes: 33. L. Ncala, 8. D. Lota, 17. T. Tsui, 6. B. Mnguni, 80. A. Molekoa,

20. N. Zwane, 5. B. Matross

Cautions: Amazulu, Yellow Cards, 78. Themba Mnguni 22 min

Kaizer Chiefs, Yellow Cards, 10. Siyabonga Nkosi 61 min, 6. Fabian McCarthy 90+ min

Officials:


Referee: Peter Mabuza


1st Assistant: Enoch Molefe


2nd Assistant: Andrew Rezeers


4th Official: Robert Sithole


Match Commissioner: Ian McLeod