Ntombekhaya Zibi
Kaizer Chiefs managed to secure the full three points when they won 3-2 against Polokwane City in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) on Saturday afternoon at Loftus Versfeld Stadium
In the seventh minute, Samir Nurkovic nearly opened the scoring when he received a ball in the box, yet his half-volley could only hit the side of the net.
Seven minutes later, City forced a save out of goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi who managed to punch Vusimuzi Mngomezulu’s cross away from danger.
Polokwane pushed their noses in front after 17 minutes when Lesiba Nku broke through the centre of defence following a looping ball to lob over an advancing Daniel Akpeyi, making it 1-0.
It was almost two when another breakthrough the defence released Salulani Phiri clear on goal three minutes later, but the midfielder went wide of the bottom corner.
Chiefs went close to levelling matters after the half-hour mark, but Cyril Chibwe was on hand to palm Nurkovic’s header back into play.
After half time Amakhosi had three substitutions, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Bernard Parker and Katsande entering in pursuit of staging a comeback.
However, Rise and Shine got a second goal after 61 minutes when Jabulani Maluleke’s free-kick outside the area nestled the bottom corner after deflecting off Akumu.
Katsande would make his presence felt in the last 20 minutes after turning home Nurkovic’s cutback from the far post following an inswinging corner.
The Amakhosi were level when another corner and another flick-on by Nurkovic on 75 minutes played in Akumu who tucked home from close-range.
Nurkovic then took matters into his own hands a minute later after receiving a pass from Daniel Cardoso near the area to pick out the bottom corner from range.Kambole almost made it four from a gaping goal in the remaining minutes, but was met with a goal-line clearance by Edgar Manaka.
Chiefs missed another chance to put the result to bed in added time as Cardoso found the underside of the crossbar from the spot, but the Amakhosi still picked up the win to move six points clear of Mamelodi Sundowns after its draw against Highlands Park.
