KAIZER Chiefs wrested pole position atop the Premiership log with a typically businessman-like performance to dispatch Lamontville Golden Arrows 1-0 in Durban.
Getting a fifth straight win and putting pressure on Mamelodi Sundowns was the clear objective for this game.
And with AmaZulu coming up next, whom they beat 6-0 at this ground last year, Chiefs can dream of being at the top of the pile by Christmas like they were en route to the title last year.
There was little doubt that Amakhosi would get the win here considering the direct contrast in log positions between the leaders and the tail-enders.
However, Stuart Baxter’s men amused their hosts by allowing the game to remain open-ended all the way to the end, when a couple of killer blows would have left Arrows comatose.
Arrows had chances that would have embarrassed the Glamour Boys but Itumeleng Khune saved the day.
When Chiefs found their rhythm, though, the defending champions looked like they would score freely and penetrated the Arrows box without defensive objection.
The goal may have come fortuitously – a Mzuvukile Tom handball inside the box gifting Chiefs a penalty – but Chiefs had knocked on the door repeatedly and were three times denied by a stubborn goal post.
At half time it was, somewhat surprisingly, still 0-0.
Luck swung Chiefs’ way two minutes into the second half when referee Zolile Mthetho adjudged Tom to have handled the ball inside the penalty area. Bernard Parker sent Harrison the wrong way to net his seventh goal this season.
The other big Premiership match of the night between Orlando Pirates and AmaTuks was more pedestrian.
However, the Buccaneers continue their slow but steady rise from the foot of the Premiership table also with a 1-0 win as they play the catch-up game.
Oupa Manyisa scored the only goal of the match in the 53rd minute.
Their performance last night was nowhere near being as clinical.
However, the job got done and coach Roger De Sa will be pleased to see his side – having fallen behind in the domestic league because of Caf Champions League commitments – move up to 13th place after playing just seven matches.Tuks suffered a second consecutive defeat and remained 14th on the standings.
Amakhosi collect maximum points
Getting a fifth straight win and putting pressure on Mamelodi Sundowns was the clear objective for this game.
And with AmaZulu coming up next, whom they beat 6-0 at this ground last year, Chiefs can dream of being at the top of the pile by Christmas like they were en route to the title last year.
There was little doubt that Amakhosi would get the win here considering the direct contrast in log positions between the leaders and the tail-enders.
However, Stuart Baxter’s men amused their hosts by allowing the game to remain open-ended all the way to the end, when a couple of killer blows would have left Arrows comatose.
Arrows had chances that would have embarrassed the Glamour Boys but Itumeleng Khune saved the day.
When Chiefs found their rhythm, though, the defending champions looked like they would score freely and penetrated the Arrows box without defensive objection.
The goal may have come fortuitously – a Mzuvukile Tom handball inside the box gifting Chiefs a penalty – but Chiefs had knocked on the door repeatedly and were three times denied by a stubborn goal post.
At half time it was, somewhat surprisingly, still 0-0.
Luck swung Chiefs’ way two minutes into the second half when referee Zolile Mthetho adjudged Tom to have handled the ball inside the penalty area. Bernard Parker sent Harrison the wrong way to net his seventh goal this season.
The other big Premiership match of the night between Orlando Pirates and AmaTuks was more pedestrian.
However, the Buccaneers continue their slow but steady rise from the foot of the Premiership table also with a 1-0 win as they play the catch-up game.
Oupa Manyisa scored the only goal of the match in the 53rd minute.
Their performance last night was nowhere near being as clinical.
However, the job got done and coach Roger De Sa will be pleased to see his side – having fallen behind in the domestic league because of Caf Champions League commitments – move up to 13th place after playing just seven matches.Tuks suffered a second consecutive defeat and remained 14th on the standings.
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