/ 10 September 2003

Chiefs blast Leopards

Chiefs went onto the warpath in the first half and had it not

been for some brilliant goalkeeping from Leopards Walter Kumalo,

the Limpopo-based club would have been a lot worse off.

This turned out to be Chiefs’ best performance in a long time. Kumalo spared his team blushes with some breathtaking first half saves that kept the score line respectable. Kumalo did well to deny Jabu Pule, Thabo Mooki and Sibusiso Dlamini goals in a one-sided first 45 minutes.

But, eventually the pressure told and Kumalo was powerless to deny Moshoeu the breakthrough in the 29th minute. The veteran midfielder slammed home Pule’s corner to the delight of the Amakhosi fans in the 18 000 crowd.

Moshoeu then made it 2-0 in the 38th minute when he slotted home

the rebound after Patrick Mabedi’s missed penalty struck the upright. Referee Ace Ncobo awarded Chiefs their penalty when he adjudged defender Godfrey Ramudzuli to have fouled Dlamini inside the danger area.

After halftime, Leopards tried hard to get back into the game and came close when Jafta Mabosho forced keeper Rowen Fernandez to make a good save in the 61st minute.

However, the contest was all but over two minute later when Dlamini had the crowd in raptures after he connected Arthur Zwane’s pass and netted goal number three against his former club.

Leopards suffered even more when Ncobo sent off substitute Ryan Hartslief for a bad foul on Pule in the 75th minute.

Then Moshoeu latched onto Zwane’s cross and completed his hattrick and rout of Leopards 10 minutes from time. But, there was time for Zwane to get into the act and he made it 5-0 two minutes from time when he dribbled around Kumalo to score the fifth goal in to an empty net.

Chiefs remain unbeaten after three matches having collected seven points. And Leopards were simply happy to hear the referee’s final whistle. — Sapa