Kaizer Chiefs left behind their inconsistent ways by taking down Free State Stars 3-0 in wet conditions in their Absa Premiership match played at Olympia Park in Rustenburg on Wednesday night.
Kinnah Phiri’s charges collapsed when it mattered most — in the second half — as Mabhuti Khanyeza, Onismor Bhasera and birthday boy Shaun Bartlett scored goals to record Chiefs second league win of the season.
For the Chiefs’ expectant fans who braved the rain, the win was a huge relief but Stars’ strikers, notably Diyo Sibisi, must shoulder the blame as they missed one-on-one chances.
Chiefs appeared to miss Siphiwe Tshabalala -‒ but the team was given a stern talking to by temperamental coach Muhsin Ertugral.
Despite a scoring chance in the 39th minute, the entire first half belonged to the visitors. The league’s leading goal scorer Sibisi could have opened the scoring after turning a lethargic Chiefs’ defence inside out but his shot was saved by man-of-the-match Itumeleng Khune in the sixth minute.
Two minutes later, Stars were spitting fire when Fayana Dhladhla’s thunderbolt shot was saved by Khune.
With Sibisi failing to beat Khune again in the 33rd minute, it was evident that it was not their night.
When the dangerous Jet Rookie of the month award winner’s header hit the woodwork at the stroke of halftime, Chiefs were found wanting.
There were good cameo moments in the second half for Chiefs and when Stars opted to defend too deeply, punishment was in the offing.
Allowed acres of space, Khanyeza opened the scoring in the 46th minute and there were two goals through Bhasera and Bartlett in the last minute of full time. – Sapa