Soccer Laduma rates the individual performances of the players following Kaizer Chiefs 5-3 win over Maritzburg United in an MTN8 quarterfinal match on Wednesday night, August 5.
Kaizer Chiefs
Riyaad Pieterse: 5
Not his best game between the sticks. He did make some good saves, but he failed to communicate properly with his defence which resulted in them not marking properly at set-pieces and an own goal.
Siboniso Gaxa: 7
Was one of Chiefs better defenders on the night. He did well in his right-back role and supplied the cross to Lebese's opening goal.
Siyanda Xulu: 6
Did not have a very good game. Poor communication between himself and Bukenya resulted in the first goal being scored. He was also at fault for the third goal Chiefs conceded as he failed to communicate with his keeper and scored an own goal. The only thing that save Xulu on the night was the fact that he scored the winning goal in acrobatic fashion in extra time.
Ivan Bukenya: 5
Was poor in the centre of defence. He did not communicate well with Xulu and both struggled throughout the game.
Tsepo Masilela: 6
Was good in his attacking role down the left flank, but his defensive duties were not at their best. He lost the marker when Maritzburg scored their second goal at a corner-kick.
Siphiwe Tshabalala: 6
Got into a lot of attacking areas and had good scoring chances, but his finishing was horrendous – he missed numerous opportunities which could have won Chiefs the game.
Willard Katsande: 6
Was his consistent self in the heart of the Chiefs midfield. He worked hard, but did nothing out of the ordinary.
Reneilwe Letsholonyane: 6
Was his consistent self, running up and down the field and played his part in creating a couple of the goals. Nothing special though
George Lebese: 8
Lebese got Chiefs back into the game with a great attacking header to open their scoring account. He also scored his side's third goal. Moreover, he was dangerous down the left flank and created socring chances for his teammates – he was the 'man of the match'
Bernard Parker: 7
Was dangerous in the final third with his creative play, passing and off the ball movement. He scored Chiefs' second goal with a superb long range strike.
David Zulu: 6
Had a few chance sin front of goal, but failed to take them and even hit the crossbar on one occasion. Still finding his feet at Chiefs
Substitutes
Kgotso Moleko: 6
Came on in the 76th minute for the injured Gaxa. He did nothing of significance, but looks to struggle with the pace of the game at times.
Hendrick Ekstein: 7
Came on in the 84th minute for Lebese. He looked lively in attack and scored Chiefs fifth goal. At times, though, he does give the ball away cheaply. Overall, however, was good.
Lorenzo Gordinho: N/A
Came on in the 118th minute for David Zulu and had no time to make an impact.
Maritzburg United
Virgil Vries: 5
Not a good night betweenthe sticks for the goalkeeper who conceded five goals.
Siyabonga Mkhize: 6
Look good at times attacking down the right flank. Had his hadns full in defence trying to keep the likes of Lebese and Masilela at bay, but did ok.
Thamsanqa Teyise: 7
Had a good game in the centre of defence and even scored his side's second goal with a fine header on debut.
David Booysen: 6
Had a solid first half, but struggled to contain the attacking impetus of Chiefs in the second half – the pace of the game got to him.
Philani Zulu: 6
Had a rather quite game in his left-back role. For the most part did his defensive duties well, but allowed Gaxa to make the cross that led to Chiefs' first goal.
Ryan De Jong: 7
De Jong had a rather good game in his defensive midfield role. The first half he kept Chiefs attack quiet with his hard work, but the pace of the game got to him a bit in the second half. Still he was on United's better players and produced the long ball that resulted in his side's third goal.
Mondli Cele: 6
Had a very quiet game and did not see much of the ball which resulted in him being substituted early in the second half
Kurt Lentjies: 7
Had a good game in the centre of midfield and did well to keep the likes of Yeye and Katsande at bay for large portions of the match. He also scored his side's opening goal.
Ashley Hartog: 6
Was his consistent self in the middle of the park. Did not do much to stand out.
Deolin Mekoa: 6
Had moments of brilliance where he looked good in attack, but often gave the ball away cheaply.
Mohammed Anas: 5
Was a poor game for Anas. He saw very little of the ball and did not do much off the ball work. Was substituted early in the second half.
Substitutes
Fortune Makaringe: 6
Looked quite lively when he came on for Cele in the 52nd minute. He had a few shots on goal, but did not make any significant impact on the game.
Mohau Mokate: 6
Came on in the 69th minute for Anas, but did not have much impact on the game. He saw very little of the ball, but he did work hard off of it.
Manti Moholo: N/A
Came on in the 119th minute and did not have enough time to make an impact.
