Soweto - Kaizer Chiefs ended the year with a 1-0 win over Black Aces in
an Absa Premiership match at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
As it happened: Kaizer Chiefs v Black Aces
Aces proved to be a serious threat in the first half with Tendai Ndoro creating some real danger in attack for the home side.
Chiefs controlled the flow of the game early on, but struggled to fashion any clear-cut chances in front of goal.
Instead, it was at the other end of the park where we almost saw the opening goal when Ndoro met a right-wing cross in the 19th minute, but saw his 14-yard attempt brilliantly saved by Brilliant Khuzwayo, turning the shot onto the post.
The ball was immediately worked back into the Chiefs box and Ndoro tried his luck again from 16-yards out, this time beating the keeper, but not defender Erick Mathoho who headed the ball away on his own goalline.
Four minutes later Kingston Nkhatha wasted a glorious scoring chance when he headed over the target from two yards out after Bernard Parker had initially flicked on a corner-kick.
In the 26th minute Abia Nale created an opportunity for Ndoro with a clever ball over the top of the defence, but the striker shot wide from an acute angle on the left.
Ivan Bukenya should really have found the back of the net for Chiefs in the 42nd minute when the Aces keeper missed a cross from Siphiwe Tshabalala, but he headed it over from close range with an empty net at his mercy.
Aces started the second half strong and were inches away from taking the lead when a 20-yard shot from Aubrey Ngoma struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced away from danger in the 51st minute.
Aces were made to pay for all their wasted chances on the hour mark when Chiefs took the lead after Mandla Masango headed home a right-wing cross from Kingston Nkhatha.
In the 78th minute Chiefs were afforded a great opportunity to double their lead when Reneilwe Letsholonyane played Masango through on goal, but he was denied by the keeper in a one-on-one.
Aces pushed for an equaliser in the final 10 minutes, but the Chiefs defence held firm.
The win is the Amakhosi’s 14th in the league and on 46 points at the top of the table.
Teams
Kaizer Chiefs
Khuzwayo, Gaxa, Mashamaite, Mathoho, Masilela, Letsholonyane,
Bukenya, Masango (Rusike 88’), Tshabalala (Gould 64’), Parker, Nkhatha
(Maluleka 65’)
MP Black Aces
Mabokgwane, Mampuru, Nonyane, Gyimah, Gumede, Ngalo, Tukane,
Ngoma, Mbesuma (Okonkwo 80’), Nale (Timm 62’), Ndoro