Twelve years on, Amakhosi finally clinch it

Finally, Kaizer Chiefs have been crowned the Castle Premiership champions.

The Glamour Boys from Phefeni achieved the feat after registering a hard fought 2-0 victory over Moroka Swallows in a jam-packed Johannesburg Stadium on Saturday.

The league title has eluded AmaKhosi for the past 12 years and the victory has automatically booked them a place in the African Champions League next year.

The game got off to a flying start in true Gauteng football style as both sides pushed to get an early goal.

It was Chiefs who broke the deadlock in the 16th minute through Zambian international Collins Mbesuma, who was booed earlier on by the crowd. Mbesuma easily nodded home a cross from Thabo Mooki. And there were no boos this time as a deafening noise from the jubilant fans filled the stadium.

Chiefs began to take control of the game as Mooki and John Mosheou dominated the midfield. Swallows regrouped towards the end of the first half, threatening to equalise, but the Dube Birds could not break the tight defence of Kaizer Chiefs — led by the able Patrick Mabebi.

Swallows lost goalkeeper Greg Etaphia, who was sent off by referee Jerome Damon in the 42nd minute when he foolishly brought Mosheou down just outside his box. This reduced them to 10 men.

Etaphia is likely to be punished by his club. The red card means he will miss the Absa Cup final between Swallows and Manning Rangers scheduled for June 30 in Bloemfontein. Coach Gavin Hunt had to sacrifice the hard working striker Edzai Kasinauyo for reserve keeper Cornard Hendriks.

Chiefs’ late substitute David Radebe, who came on for Mbesuma, sealed the game in the 85th minute after good work by defender Cyril Nzama.