Staff Reporter.
Kaizer Chiefs claimed back-to-back wins in the DStv Premiership for the first time this season with a 2-1 triumph over Cape Town City.
Kearyn Baccus and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo started for Amakhosi along with Dumisani Zuma, as City welcomed back Thabo Nodada and Mpho Makola.
Following on from their midweek win over AmaZulu, the Amakhosi got the better of the Citizens thanks to early goals from youngsters Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Happy Mashiane. The result sees the Soweto side rise to eighth place on the log, now just three points behind the sixth-placed Cape club.
Chiefs, for the second time in the space of a few days, scored first and early: in the seventh minute, good work by Philani Zulu down the left flank ended with Ngcobo scoring with a sliced, left-footed shot which deflected off a defender and gave goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh no chance of a save.
Things got even better for the Amakhosi on 19 minutes when they doubled their advantage. After winning the ball in midfield, they worked it rapidly down the right flank before Samir Nurkovic played a square pass to put Mashiane in on goal: the youngster rounded the ‘keeper and stroked home a low shot for 2-0.
Two goals down at the break, the hosts almost pulled one back in the second minute after the restart when a ball fell kindly for Fagrie Lakay in the penalty area, but he was denied by a superb reaction save from Chiefs goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.
The Citizens were the dominant team in the second half, but for long periods they lacked any real penetration, with Chiefs’ defence relatively comfortable in sitting deep and keeping their opponents at arm’s length.
Chiefs appeared to be well in control of the match, but on 83 minutes City finally found a goal to set up a tense finale. Lakay finished off a chance beautifully created by successive back-heels from Mduduzi Mdantsane and substitute Charles Zulu.
The teams will return to DStv Premiership action this coming midweek, with Chiefs at home to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila on Tuesday 19 January and City visiting Black Leopards the following day.
Meanwhile Swallows FC defeated Baroka FC 1-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon, a result which puts them back on level terms with DStv Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Birds took full advantage of Sundowns’ draw with SuperSport United earlier in the day, and yet another goal from Ruzaigh Gamildien sees them level with the champions on 25 points from 11 unbeaten matches since the start of the season. Bakgaga, meanwhile, drop to 12th on the log.
PSL Fixtures on Sunday:
Black Leopards vs. Orlando Pirates @ 15:30
Amazulu vs Maritzburg United @ 15:30.