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THE SMART NEWS SOURCE | Feb 10 2012 07:02 | LAST UPDATED Feb 10 2012 07:02 |
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It was a case of Nokosinathi Nhleko feeding off Knowledge Musona as Kaizer Chiefs snatched a 71st minute 1-0 winner in a closely-fought Premier League game against Free State Stars that appeared to be heading towards a draw at the Charles Mopeli Stadium in Qwa Qwa on Saturday night. Musona's pin-point cross left a befuddled Stars' defence in what looked like no less than three minds and the no-nonsense Nhleko was on hand to head the ball into the net from the far post. It gave Amakhosi a valuable three points and consolidated Chiefs' place among the top eight teams in the log -- and because of their superior attacking intent and greater enterprise it was a victory that was well-deserved in spite of the lengthy time for the winner to finally materialise. But once again in Premier League matches, an absorbing tussle of cut-and-thrust soccer was marred by woeful finishing from both sides. In a bitter irony, Stars' uneasy position in the log continues to be the net result of poor results at home -- with all four of their defeats this season materialising on pitches that supposedly gave them an advantage. But Stars may justifiably feel the soccer gods were unrewarding for a gritty, resolute performance in which their defence contained Chiefs' attack with a degree of aplomb for much of the game -- only to fall foul of one defensive lapse. It was a scenario aptly reflected in the performance of Stars' Zambian international goalkeeper, Kennedy Mweene, who looked rock-like for the most part, yet ended up blotting his copybook by being a shade out of position when Nhleko provided the match-winner. Performing one degree better was veteran Arthur Bartman, a stop-gap choice in Chiefs' goal who has confounded all and sundry with a succession of faultless displays. But, in truth, it was not a night in which goalkeepers were overworked -- reflected by the fact that there was only one shot overall on target during the opening 45 minutes. - Sapa  CONTINUES BELOW TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE
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