Not a performance that Kaizer Chiefs would be entirely proud with but it was the final score that made the difference as the Naturena side lifted their second Coca-Cola Cup title in three years with a 2-0 win over rookies Silver Stars at Soccer City on Saturday.

Midfielder Stanton Fredericks gave Amakhosi the lead on 55 minutes before he made way for Thabo Mooki two minutes later.

The goal was a combination of sheer individual brilliance by Jabu Pule who collected the ball in the middle of the park and ran the rings around the Stars rearguard before feeding ball to veteran midfielder John Moshoeu who in turn supplied the ball to Fredericks. Stiga made no mistake as he fired the ball low to Johannes Diale’s left.

Striker Patrick Mayo all but sealed a hard-fought victory from the penalty spot three

minutes into stoppages. Stars were penalised for Sipho Nchabe's foul on John Moshoeu in the box.

However, it was not an easy victory for Amakhosi as they were made to sweat for their money and at some point appeared in danger of losing the grip on the title. Stars - who were given very little chance against the Cup specialists in pre-match build ups - put up a brave performance earlier in the game and held their own to go into the break still unharmed.

But when the men in white and gold finally got the goals that mattered most the earlier indifferent start was quickly forgotten. The game perhaps also marked the return to form for midifeld sensation Jabu

Pule who was on fire and ended the game as the best player on the day.

But Stars will not be ashamed of their performance on the day, which summed up an otherwise successful Coke Cup campaign in their debut season in top-flight football. The

R1 million consolation prize will also go a long way in turning their fortunes around. The

focus will now be on the league while Chiefs will hope for a league and cup double.

While Chiefs had a relatively impressive start, Stars were nevertheless still creating

problems for the Glamour Boys at the back. Stars created so many chances but failed to put

the ball in the back of the net. Chiefs responded to this with the introduction of

Nhlanhla Kubeka in place of junior international Bevan Fransman on 38 minutes.

It was Kubeka's first competitively game since the start of the season and he never showed

any signs of rustiness or fatigue. His very first contribution to the game was a

delightful into the box. But veteran midfielder Moshoeu's header went just above goal.

It was an evenly contested clash with Stars almost creating another upset following a

fairytale run that started with 2-0 win against SuperSport United on October 5. When

Tenashe Nengomasha conceded possession on 14 minutes, Stars broke loose with former Chiefs man Thabang Lebese laying the ball to Dingaan Masanabo. With pressure from the Chiefs defence, Masanabo could not unleash a clean shot and it was easy pickings for Rowen

Fernandez.

At this stage Amakhosi appeared static while creating too many elementary mistakes. The Limpopo side had another attacking chance on 17 minutes when defender Fabian McCarthy

could not clear the ball, which fell to Masanabo, but lack of experience was evident as

the Stars skipper could not control or direct his shot.

Stars kept pressing forward and Fernandez was almost caught off guard after he had left

his line to attempt a clearance on a high ball on 63 minutes. When the ball fell to Morris

Chauke and with the net almost empty, Fernandez and the Chiefs defence were relieved when

the ball struck the upright.

Another scoring opportunity presented itself to Stars on 76 minutes from a free-kick on

the edge of the box. Morris Chauke's thunderous shot beat Fernandez bur not the crossbar.

Again Stars were denied by tactful defending by McCarthy who made a vital touch to deny

Keketso Mmotong on 90 minutes.

For Chiefs the focus will immediately switch to league action as they have one of their

toughest fixtures of the season when the host archrivals Orlando Pirates on December 13 at

the same venue.

It was a long and torrid road to glory for Amakhosi who were almost knocked out in the

first round but managed a 1-0 win against Santos on October 4 in Cape Town. They then

hammered Ajax Cape Town in what should be the match of the tournament at Ellis Park on

November 1.

In Wits they were up against a side that had given them a good run for their money in

previous five encounters and this time they had a 50/50 chance. But at the end of the day,

or is it night, Amakhosi proved their worth with a faultless 3-0 win against the Students

in the replay. This after the initial semifinal clash was abandoned due to rain.

Teams:

Kaizer Chiefs: 1-Fernandez, 4-Nzama, 3-Fransman (Kubeka 38), 5-Mabedi, 8-Nengomasha, 91-Moshoeu, 10-Fredericks (Mooki 57), 11-Pule, 20-Dlamini (Musasa 74), 21-Mayo.




Subs: 16-Baloyi, 12-Mooki, 33-Musasa, 24-Mabotsa, 22-Mendu, 19-Kubeka, 7-Motaung Jr.

Silver Stars: 1-Diale, 19-Mchabe, 4-Ntwagae, 8-Kgatla, 15-Williams, 21-Lebese (Nkosi 57), 16-Chauke,

17-Mashao (Mmotong 50), 9-Masanabo (Maleka 72), 7-Moriri.




Subs: 35-Silango, 2-Jackson, 23-Van Wyk, 31-Pule, 6-Maleka, 11-Mmotong, 10-Nkosi.

Referee: Petros Mathabela.