/ 24 September 1998

Chiefs knock over Seven Stars at Newlands

OWN CORRESPONDENT, Cape Town | Thursday 9.00pm.

KAISER Chiefs left it pretty late but the Amakhosi edged Seven Stars 2-1 in a Castle Premier League match at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on Thursday.

Chiefs held a 1-0 lead for virtually the whole second half, but were shocked by a late goal by Stars to level terms — and a draw seemed much on the cards.

After firing on all cylinders, Chiefs led by their twin strikers — Pollen Ndlanya and Marc Batchelor — were kept well under wraps by the Stars defence. The Cape side was well-serviced by goalkeeper Calvin Marlin, who had to make some fine saves to deny Ndlanya and company.

Stars showed they were not allowing their more illustrious opponents to have matters all their own way and at times had goalkeeper Brian Baloyi stretching to save some tricky shots.

After a goalless first half, Chiefs came out for the second stanza in fiery mode and it came as little surprise when Ndlanya latched onto a neat pass by Martin Zwane in the 46th minute and the Bafana Bafana striker made sure with his shot.

The game was heading for a win for the visitors, but then Stars Dillion Shepherd entered centre stage, collected wide on the left flank and sent in an innocuous long-range attempt which deflected off defender and captain Neil Tovey to make it 1-1 in the 88th minute.

But as the game edged into extra time Namibian international Robert Nauseb got in on the act to bundle the ball past Marlin to sneak Chiefs the narrowest of wins in the 93rd minute.