Chiefs crush Celtic

Kaizer Chiefs proved why they are the best bet for the Absa Premiership title this season with a win simply made exquisite by two world-class goals from Bernard Parker and Knowledge Musona against Bloemfontein Celtic.

The match was played at FNB Stadium, Soweto, last night. Keagan Buchanan made it 3-0 for Amakhosi by heading the ball into his own net in the 89th minute.

For a while it looked like Chiefs were fatigued coming off the back of a trip from Namibia in last weekend's Caf Champions League preliminary stage.

But by the 70th minute, the defending champions had wrapped it all up at 2-0 when Musona scored with a solo effort to add to Parker's first-half stunner just before the break.

Celtic tried to break the deadlock with a couple of long balls that were tricky to deal with for the Chiefs back four. Musa Nyatama and defender and skipper Clayton Daniels had all surged forward in search of the opener.

But just when fans - about 20000 of them - were ready for a bathroom break, Parker stepped up to hammer home a left-footed shot into the top corner to send the Chiefs crowd into a frenzy.

The game was alive and both teams showed urgency - Amakhosi desperate to add to their tally, while Celtic searched for the equaliser.

The tempo had died down a bit when the second half resumed and it was Celtic again who were quick off the starting blocks with coach Ernst Middendorp as animated as ever in the dugout.

And Phunya Sele Sele could have caught Chiefs napping but Joel Mogorosi's attempt in the penalty box beat Khune in goal and hit the top of the crossbar and bounced back into play.

Mogorosi had been let in on goal by young Simphiwe Mtsweni, who was making his Premier League debut for Amakhosi having impressed coach Stuart Baxter in Windhoek.

Celtic worked their socks off but just never really took their chances. Their plan to launch counter attacks where Mtsweni was operating worked to a certain extent. But they could not manage even a consolation goal .

Amakhosi have maintained their unbeaten record - they haven't lost a Premier League match since November 5 when they travelled to Cape Town.

Ramatsiyi Moholoa reports from Dobsonville Stadium, Soweto, that Supersport United intensified their PSL title challenge with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Moroka Swallows last night.

The expensively assembled Tshwane outfit lie third on the log with 32 points from 19 matches.

The Dube Birds were the first to draw blood on the third minute through Giorgi Nergadze with a stunning header.

Matsatsantsa settled down as the game progressed and their efforts were finally rewarded in the 35th minute when Bennet Chenene equalised after beating Swallows' defence off-side trap.

The home side's back four just stood still, allowing Chenene easy passage to slot the ball into an empty net after beating goalie Greg Etafia.

• Mpumalanga Black Aces continued with their resurgent form when they beat AmaZulu 2-0 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

Mabhuti Khenyeza, once again, was AmaZayoni's hero when he created the first goal and scored the second as Aces registered their second victory on the trot.

Clive "The Dog" Barker's side went into last night's encounter buoyed by hard-earned but confidence-boosting 2-1 success over Maritzburg United at the same venue on Sunday.

Khenyeza set up Themba Zwane to open the scoring in the 44th minute. Khenyeza struck the insurance goal in the 65th minute.

It was Usuthu's second loss in a row after going down 1-0 to Bidvest Wits at home on Saturday.