Dladla Saves Chiefs' Blushes
13 August 2011
ABSA Premiership
Date: 13 August 2011
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 Jomo Cosmos
Venue: FNB Stadium
Referee: Robert Sithole
Josta Dladla's 89th minute strike gave Kaizer Chiefs the edge over Jomo Cosmos in an enticing PSL clash at the FNB Stadium this evening after Ezenkosi youngster Tshidiso Tukane's wonder goal had restored parity eight minutes from time.
Cosmos could not have asked for a more fiery reintroduction to top flight football and the PSL new boys looked like buck caught in the headlights as two of Chiefs' new signings combined to conjure up the opener inside two minutes. Bernard Parker timed his run down the right flank to perfection before providing fellow striker Lehlohonolo Majoro with a quality delivery. The former AmaZulu man was able to get in front of his marker and tap it in to open his account.
Another new signing, Keegan Ritchie whipped in a timid training ground free-kick before Siyabonga Nhlapo got Cosmos in the game with a confident strike on the break that had Itumeleng Khune scrambling.
Chiefs were forewarned about their opponents physicality and Ezenkosi soon found success with the long ball. Lehlo Nontshinga would have levelled matters in the 15th minute after speeding past Tomas Sweswe were it not for Khune's brave intervention. The Bafana number one injured his shin in his heroics and was forced to go off and be replaced by veteran Arthur Baartman.
Parker showed plenty of hunger and determination with some slalom-runs through midfield and earned applause at every turn.
When opportunities came for Chiefs, it was the defenders rather than the forwards who found themselves in goal-scoring positions. Ritchie could only graze a Siphiwe Tshabalala corner and Dominic Isaacs looked every inch like a man who had yet to open his account in professional football when he found himself in space and toe-poked a feeble effort towards Avril Phali.
Cosmos should have grabbed the equaliser just before half-time but Phethego Maebelo contrived to miss from two yards out after Katlego Loke had provided an accurate free-kick.
Chiefs were guilty of sitting on their lead and coach Vladimir Vermezovic seemed to get that point across during in the interval because Tshabalala engineered two clear-cut opportunities soon after the break. Phali had to get down smartly to save his efforts with the Chiefs playmaker showing that his pace and trickery were still a handful for PSL defences.
Ezenkosi were holding fast at the back and resolute defending foiled another Parker run on the hour mark. Majoro tested Phali again a couple of minutes later but his shot lacked sufficient power.
Chiefs' attackers were turning the contest into a one-sided shooting gallery. Mthokozisi Yende was the latest to make Phali work for his match fee.
The dam wall finally broke in the 71st minute when Cosmos substitute McDonald Nhlapo brought down Majoro in the area for a penalty. Parker's spot-kick however was straight down the middle and Phali was able to make the save with his legs. Parker was substituted for defender Lucky Baloyi immediately after as Chiefs looked to close up shop.
It looked to be a fatal error of judgement on Vermezovic's part as Tukane produced an early contender for goal of the season with a scorching drive from 30 yards out in the 82nd minute that gave Baartman no price.
Chiefs pressed hard in the final minutes and with the Cosmos youngsters out on their feet and McDonald Nhlapo being shown a red card in the fracas, substitute Josta Dladla arrived to meet a Tshabalala cross and side-foot the ball into the open net for the winner a minute from full-time.
Kaizer Chiefs: Khune (Baartman 23'), Tau, Sweswe, Ritchie, Masango (Dladla 67'), Isaacs, Nengomasha, Yende, Tshabalala, Parker (Baloyi 75'), Majoro
Jomo Cosmos: Phali, Pila, Nonyane, S Nhlapho, Moloto (Dlamini 80'), Maebela, Loke (Sono 67'), Shabalala, Nontshinga, Hlalele (M Nhlapo 57'), Tukane
comments
' would like to thank jd & his teammates 4 making us proud by beating ezenkosi on saterday thanx guyz let's put more effort 4 this coming one' the dube birds
Submitted by: david_porogo
Date: 15 August 2011, Time: 12:58:37
Rise Khosi Rise, I'm happy for the win but I'm worried about the missed chances we had. In all fairness Majoro should have taken that penalty he is the one who was fouled and he had a goal to his name already, imagine the morally boost he could have had if he had score that penalty. Majoro if you put away those clear cut chances they created for you against Cosmos you could be the top goal score with four goals to your name including Parker.
Submitted by: Khuboni4life
Date: 15 August 2011, Time: 12:30:56
Dladla Didn't save Chiefs but did his duty as an employee of Kaizer Chiefs (pty Limited) and above all, he is a chief himself. I hp de editor will correct his/her heading.
Submitted by: motjakata
Date: 15 August 2011, Time: 10:24:07
That thing is dead!
Submitted by: Gizaretti
Date: 15 August 2011, Time: 00:50:12
Uphi uMAtshepiso?
Submitted by: Pmshow
Date: 14 August 2011, Time: 20:04:07
Ritos u knw nthng abt futball.Hamba uyobhema i whoonga.i cn c u r Craving 4 it.
Submitted by: khanyilicious
Date: 14 August 2011, Time: 18:39:10
Wel done khosi.n thanx.
Submitted by: 0800khosi
Date: 14 August 2011, Time: 17:44:10
mxm poor zebras
Submitted by: True_champ
Date: 14 August 2011, Time: 17:10:36
Lucky Stars won lucky.UP THE BUCS
Submitted by: 0714374149
Date: 14 August 2011, Time: 15:45:58
shapa khosi shapa
Submitted by: Tshepoldihno
Date: 14 August 2011, Time: 15:26:56