ANDREW MUCHINERIPI, Phokeng | Saturday 10.00pm.
Kaizer Chiefs 5 Mbabane Highlanders 2
THE Amakhosi looked devastating in attack and vulnerable in defence as they returned to Africa with a comfortable victory over the leading Swazi club in a CAF Cup first-round tie at a half-full Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace.
Several Chiefs goals came from the top drawer with short, slick, accurate passes carving holes in Highlanders defence and two-goal Siyabonga Nomvete could have doubled his tally.
Young Jabu Pule also displayed the clinical finishing often lacking among South African footballers, who shun hard, first-time shooting in favour of trying to walk the ball into the net.
But if coach Muhsin Ertugral will have slept comfortably in the knowledge that his team can score regularly, he surely realises that the slip-shod defending on view here will be severely punished by stronger opposition.
Bright Zondo was afforded time and space in a crowded penalty area to head the first Swazi goal and Menzi Sibiya waltzed through a Mohammed Ouseb-less rearguard for the second.
Sibiya made it 4-2 – too close for comfort ahead of the return match at Somhlolo Stadium in the breathtaking Ezulwini Valley on April 2 – and there was visible relief when Nomvete tapped in 60 seconds from full-time.
Impressive Namibian Nauseb created the first for Pule, scored the second and Pule struck again before Zondo reduced arrears just before the end of a first half played in wet conditions.
A wonderful free kick drill dazzled Highlanders early in the second half and Nomvete slid the ball over the line at the far post. The Sibiya strike woke the Amakhosi and a fifth goal was no less that they deserved.
Chiefs played in the 1993 African Champions League (formerly Cup) before declining numerous opportunities to compete in Pan-African competitions because of heavy costs and no prize money.
The costs remain high and there is still no prize money in the CAF Cup, but the club has signed a deal which gives pay television company SuperSport live coverage for a reported R250000 per match.