Absa Premiership
Result: Free State Stars 0-2 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 18 September 2018
Venue: Goble Park
Kaizer Chiefs registered a second successive win in the Absa Premiership with victory over Free State Stars, despite Giovanni Solinas making seven changes to the line up.
Despite thumping Cape Town City 4-1 over the weekend, head coach Giovanni Solinas made seven changes the clash at Goble Park.
Amakhosi were dominating possession in the first ten minutes of the encounter but mostly in their own half as they were trying to build combinations.
One of the seven changes, Gustavo Paez, opened the scoring for the Glamour Boys in the 25th minute with a clinical finish after being played through on goal by Khama Billiat.
Judas Moseamedi had a glorious chance to equalise for Ea Lla Koto on the half-hour mark after a mistake at the back by Chiefs, but the striker could not finish inside the box.
Solinas' changes paid dividends once again, as Philani Zulu doubled the lead in the 34th minute with a cracking strike at the far post following well floated square pass from Hendrick Ekstein.
Stars were forced into a substitution five minutes before the break as Bangali Keita got injured and he was replaced by Rooi Mahamutsa.
Luc Eymael’s men had a late surge towards the end of the half looking to pull a goal back, but the Chiefs defence did not crack as they took a 2-0 lead into halftime.
Solinas’ men started the second stanza slowly, building from the back and in no rush to go forward while Stars looked to push for a goal to get back in to the game.
Stars were struggling to get back into the game after the hour-mark and were unable to launch dangerous attacks other than aimless long balls into the Amakhosi penalty area.
The visitors opted for a change after 70 minutes, as Paez made way for Ryan Moon who is yet to open his account for the season.
Rodgers had a chance to pull a goal back for Stars six minutes before time going through on goal, but instead of picking his spot he struck his shot over the bar with only Khune to beat.
Ryan Moon almost got the third goal for Chiefs two minutes before time with a close range chance but he missed wide.
With time running out, new signing Andriamirado Andrianarimanana was finally handed his Chiefs debut after replacing Katsande as Chiefs saw out the rest of the game.
Here's how they lined up:
Stars: 23. Sangare, 5. Masehe, 2. Mobbie, 17. Tema, 22. Keita (Mahamutsa 42'), 21. Phungwayo, 4. Makhaula, 8. Gandze (Mokhuoane 46'), 19. Jappie, 26. Dlamini, 6. Moseamedi (Rodgers 60')
Subs: 1. Kwizera, 9. Rodgers, 15. Mokhuoane, 28. Mahamutsa, 14. Bhengu, 25. Maruping, 18. Twala.
Chiefs: 32. Khune, 29. Walusimbi. 30. Ngezana, 5. Booysen, 18. Moleko, 31. Katsande (Adrianarimanana 89'), 12. Maluleka, 27. Ekstein, 22. Zulu, 9. Paez (Moon 71'), 11. Billiat (Mahlasela 81').
Subs: 16. Vries, 20. Hadebe, 29. Moon, 6. Jayiya, 17. Mahlasela, 36. Malope, 6. Adrianarimanana.
