By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Tanzanian giants Yanga FC beat Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in a pre-season friendly match at a sold-out Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Tanzania on Saturday night.
Chiefs had some good touches in early exchanges,looking to settle quicker. But they found Yanga a little more structured and solid in their approach.
Kennedy Musonda made the difference after netting a late first half goal to seal the victory thanks from Maxi Nzengeli assist.
Yanga continued to control the match in the second half and protected their lead.
The match was more about Chiefs’ newly appointed coach Molefi Ntseki introducing new recruits while trying to find combinations ahead of the Premier Soccer League season.
Itumeleng Khune, who was the third-choice goalkeeper last season, captained the side against Yanga while Yusuf Maart and Christian Saile were the other players from last season.
Ntseki missed a few players due to niggles including Keagan Dolly, Ashley Du Preez, Wandile Duba and new striker Ranga Chivaviro.
A total of six players made their debut for AmaKhosi starting line-up with Given Msimango and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe forming a new centre-back pairing while Zitha Kwinika and Edmilson Dove completed the back four.
Ntseki is confident things will eventually work out before the Premier Soccer League season starts.
“Congratulations to the two teams for a good display of football,” Ntseki told Azam TV.
“This being a pre-season, physically and tactically the boys did very well. The new signings did well… in terms of the team’s performance, I am happy.
“If you look at the way we played in the first half and the second half, there is something cooking, there is something we are working on.
“Township Rollers is another important game that we are looking forward to,” the tactician concluded.
Here’s how they lined up:
Chiefs: Khune, Kwinika, Msimango, Ditlhokwe, Dove, Castillo, Maart, Potsane, Mdantsane, Mmodi, Sali
Subs: Petersen, Njabulo Ngcobo, Hlanti, Frosler, Solomons, Sithebe, Zwane, Mashiane, Radebe, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Sekgota, Mahlatsi, Shabalala.
Chiefs will now prepare to play Township Rollers in another pre-season game next weekend, while Yanga will switch to begin preparations for the upcoming Community Shield semifinal encounter versus Azam.