Suddenly Kaizer Chiefs are on a roll as they battle impressively past Free State Stars

28 September 2016 - 23:30 By Marc Strydom
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Three wins in a row brings just a hint of confidence to Kaizer Chiefs, and with it they edge towards greater fluency, as was the the case on Wednesday night in their 2-0 Premier Soccer League victory against Free State Stars.

Willard Katsande’s opener from the penalty spot in the 10th minute put Chiefs in a tentative ascendancy at James Motlatsi Stadium in Orkney that was confirmed when Mitchell Katsvairo steered in a second in the 64th.

In-between those goals there was plenty of work to do. Never an easy side to beat, Stars under caretaker-coach Themba Sithole always seemed likely to put up a fight against gradually, but steadily, improving Amakhosi.

And that was the case from the side from the Free State, who sacked their French coach Denis Lavagne after their first three matches last week.

Chiefs came to earn a crucial three points in whichever manner was necessary as they inch themselves towards some sort of form.

They battled for everything against an energetic Stars who fought for every ball in the first half. In the second, Steve Komphela’s men even found some sort of rhythm to their game.

After their poor start to the season, Chiefs have been content to grit out victories as much as anything else. They scrapped to a 1-0 lead by the break on Wednesday night.

It was George Lebese’s skill in left midfield that set up a perfect start for Amakhosi.

The winger showed classy touches then chipped through to left-back Sibusiso Khumalo on an overlapping run. Khumalo attempted to touch past Kenyan centreback Joseph Okwumo who caught Amakhosi’s full-back in the challenge and referee Daniel Bennett awarded the penalty.

Willard Katsande sent Thela Ngobeni the wrong way, hitting his shot straight and into the roof of the net as the Stars goalkeeper dived left.

Stars pushed for an equaliser. Left-back Bokang Tlhone’s energy up the flank gave Free State attacking impetus. He found space on the left and struck a swerving shot into the side-netting.

A free-kick from Danny Venter was struck well, but a foot over the bar. Goodman Dlamini beat George Maluleka in the middle and drove powerfully, Itumeleng Khune plucking the ball out of the air with surprising ease.

From Lebese’s corner before the break Mulomowandau Mathoho got a faint header dangerously across goal.

Early in the second half, from a free-kick by Lebese, Mathoho again won a header, which this time was deflected wide.

As Chiefs found their confidence, so their fluency improved. And they managed a more-than decent attacking combination that led to Katsvairo’s first goal for his new club.

Again Lebese was involved, the winger producing the angled pass from right midfield that put former Chicken Inn striker Katsvairo through to finish low past Ngobeni.

Lorenzo Gordinho should have made it three at the end, hitting a point-blank volley at Ngobeni with a minute left.

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