The nightmare that has tormented Kaizer Chiefs from the start of the new season produced more excruciating heartache and horror at FNB Stadium on Saturday night as Amakhosi tumbled to a shock 2-1 SAA Supa8 defeat against Bloemfontein Celtic.
But if the result further tainted and tarnished the PSL champions’ reputation, it was nothing compared to the behaviour of their supporters in the 12 000-strong crowd, who hurled bottles and other objects onto the field following Collins Chabalala’s classy and classical winning goal for Celtic in the 83rd minute.
And then to top off the crude outburst, the supporters ripped an assortment of the stadium seats from their sockets and hurled the damaged items onto the pitch after the final whistle.
The irrational outburst was aimed primarily at Chiefs’ new German coach, Ernst Middendorp. What made the defeat even more difficult to stomach was that Amakhosi were fielding their three much-touted new signings for the first time: the former Orlando Pirates captain, Jimmy Tau and strikers Louis Agyemang from Ghana and Ivorian international Serge Dijiehoua.
Ironically it all started off well for Chiefs as Agyemang made a triumphant entry by giving his side the lead after less than two minutes with a powerful ground shot from the edge of the penalty area.
The goal stunned Celtic and for the opening 30 minutes Chiefs dominated the proceedings and looked likely to gain sweet revenge for a defeat suffered against the Bloemfontein side in the recent Telkom Charity Cup tournament.
But Celtic gradually regained their composure and provided evidence of what was to follow by coming tantalisingly close to equalising on two occasions through Chabalala and Rotson Kilambe shortly before the interval.
Then, within two minutes of the resumption, livewire Celtic midfielder Siyabonga Nkosi opened Celtic’s account with a 22-metre shot that paved the way for the initiative to turn the way of the Bloemfontein team like a stuttering racing car suddenly developing fresh impetus and power.
Chabalala started the movement that provided the winning goal and also finished off the gem after quick-witted assistance from Nkosi.
And former Chiefs and Celtic coach Paul Dolezar, sitting in the stands because he is still awaiting a work permit, seemed to taunt his former club by wearing a bright yellow jacket — similar to that of Amakhosi’s colours.
Chiefs, however, could only see red — and ugly, threatening behaviour among a section of the crowd continued long after the final whistle. – Sapa