League champions Kaiser Chiefs kept the pressure on log leaders Orlando Pirates when they were fortunate to beat Santos 1-0 in a Castle Premier League match played at the Athlone Stadium on Wednesday.
There was no score at halftime.
The goal came in the 68th minute when Santos goalkeeper Brenden Wardle, who had a excellent game, spilt a shot from John Moshoeu and Collins Mbesuma was on hand to tap the ball in.
Earlier, Santos attacked from the start and came agonisingly close in the first minute when Marawaan Bantam’s shot went over the bar and again two minutes later when Bantam’s strike just went wide. The home side were at it again in the sixth minute, but this time a Jean MarcIthier attempt was also off target.
Chiefs gradually settled down and showed their first attacking intentions in the 16th minute when a Jabulani Mendu volley from 30m sailed over the bar and then went one better in the 30th minute when a free kick from Arthur Zwane, which seemed destined for the top right hand corner, was brilliantly saved by the airborne
Wardle.
Play swung from side to side in the second half, but Chiefs were always in control and looked the more dangerous on attack. Wardle was on hand again in the 62nd minute to thwart a strike from Chiefs’ Bevan Fransman.
Try as they may, Santos could not break down the solid Chiefs defence. – Sapa