Chiefs beat AmaZulu in Polokwane
Kaizer Chiefs defeated AmaZulu 3-0 at home at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon to finish their 2013/14 campaign on high note.
Chiefs secured their win thanks to goals from Kingston Nkhatha, Tefu Mashamaite and Katlego Mphela to see Amakhosi end the season on 63 points and undisputed in second place after relinquishing the South African Premier Soccer League title to Mamelodi Sundowns last week in their penultimate fixture of the season.
Amakhosi started off strongly and on nine minutes Siphiwe Tshabalala’s free kick was cleared by AmaZulu's defenders.
Two minutes later, Chiefs took the lead through Nkhatha who blasted in a right footed shot to beat AmaZulu goalkeeper Tlali Mathibe.
AmaZulu were fortunate not to have conceded a second goal in the 15th minute when Mandla Masango fired his shot just wide of the right post.
Five minutes before the half hour mark, Mathibe made a fantastic save to deny Nkhatha a brace.
Chiefs then extended their lead in the 45th minute when Mashamaite turned in Tshabalala's corner taken from the right corner flag to hand the home side a two-nil halftime lead.
AmaZulu's misery continued after halftime when just nine minutes after coming on for Mandla Masango, Mphela scored his side’s third with a rasping right footed shot.
In the 63rd minute, Itumeleng Khune denied Ruzaigh Gamildien an opportunity for a consolation when the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper parried AmaZulu's 45th minute substitute a chance to emulate Mphela on the opposite end.
AmaZulu were again unfortunate not to get on the scoreboard after Kgotso Moleko cleared Gamildien's goal-bound corner in the 64th minute as he continued to be a constant threat since his arrival after the break.
Bernard Parker too had a similar attempt on the opposite end in the 68th minute but Mathibe’s reflexes were faster and he punched the ball away for safety first, just ten minutes after the Chiefs striker replaced Tshabalala.
Ten minute later, Parker was again on the prowl but his shot came off an AmaZulu defender.
Five minutes before fulltime, Chiefs had Nkhatha to thank after he threw himself into the path of Gamildien's goal bound shot.
Chiefs’ second place finish ensures they represent South Africa in the 2015 CAF Confederation Cup after finishing one point behind Sundowns who drew 1-1 away to Maritzburg united on the same date.
Kaizer Chiefs (2) 3 (Nkhatha 11’ Mashamaite 40’ Mphela 54’)
AmaZulu 0
Chiefs: Itumeleng Khune, Kgotso Moleko, Tefu Mashamaite, Erick Mathoho, Tespo Masilela, Ivan Bukenya, Siphiwe Tshabalala, George Lebese (Lucky Baloyi), Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Mandla Masango (Bernard Parker), Kingston Nkhatha.
AmaZulu: Aubrey Mathibe, Bonginkosi Macala, Sfiso Hlanti, Willem Mwedihanga,Tamsanqa Teyise, Kulegani Madondo (Ruzaigh Gamildien), Goodman Dlamini, Lucky Nguzana (Tshepo Liphoko), Lunga Zondi, John Arwuah, Ayanda Dlamini