Manyama to the rescue: Win sends Amakhosi 10 point clear

Kaizer Chiefs regained ground in their chase for an elusive Absa Premiership crown with a hard-fought victory against Golden Arrows in Durban yesterday.

Thanks to Lebogang Manyama’s injury-time goal at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Amakhosi are now 10 points clear of trailers Mamelodi Sundowns.

It appeared as though Chiefs were headed for their first back-to-back draw this season, but their persistence paid off when Manyama struck in optional time following a forced move by the visitors.

It was a rather heart-breaking defeat for Arrows, who had held off the runaway premiership leaders until the last-gasp goal settled the tie.

Arrows coach Steve Komphela summed it up well when he said his team had dealt with all the threats that Chiefs could bring until a lapse in concentration undid all the hard work.

For Amakhosi, the maximum points gained will go a long way as the team hunts for their first league title in almost five years.

The win was also the first time Chiefs overcame Arrows over two league rounds since 2016.

With their win, Chiefs also gave Sundowns a massive task if they want to come back into the race.

The defending champions were focusing on their CAF Champions League assignment against Petro de Luanda in Angola yesterday and will have serious catching up to do if they are to take Amakhosi off the pedestal.

The Brazilians were initially going to face Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday, but their fixture was postponed owing to changes in the CAF calender. The two powerhouses will face off in April.

Meanwhile, with their share of the spoils, Chiefs dusted themselves off from a 1-1 draw against Black Leopards in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, last weekend.

Against Arrows yesterday, Amakhosi seemed to have met their match against a side coached by their former tactician, Komphela.

Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp’s game plan could not get around a defensive Arrows side that was content with defensive work, only conjuring up sporadic attacks.

Instead, Amakhosi were forced to play the long ball in search of towering frontmen Samir Nurkovic and Leonardo Castro for their aerial strength.

However, the Arrows rearguard, marshalled by captain Matome Mathiane and Nkosinathi Sibisi, easily dealt with every attack that came their way.

Play from the two sides was a bit different from the opening half as a few attempts were posted at goal, but not so much in the second half.

Even the attempt by Chiefs to pile on the pressure in the closing stages of the game did not scare Abafana Bes’thende, but Manyama had his way in the end when he latched on to a half-cleared ball to fire a beauty of a volley past Sifiso Mlungwana.

For Arrows, it was a double spoiler as the defeat came in the match where talismanic striker Knox Mutizwa marked his 100th appearance for the team.

Although they have a Nedbank Cup Last 32 fixture against first division side Royal Eagles at home in a fortnight, it remains to be seen how the long wait before they resume their league programme will impact on Chiefs.

Their next premiership game is on February 15 against Maritzburg United.

On the other hand, Sundowns, who host Morocco’s Wydad AC in their Champions League group clash on Saturday, also have a Nedbank Cup game against SuperSport United on February 8, before the Brazilians get their league programme under way in a fortnight.

Meanwhile, SuperSport added an interesting twist among the chasing pack when Matsatsantsa a Pitori revived their title hopes with a 3-0 thrashing of Chippa United at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Friday.

SuperSport are just a point adrift of Sundowns, while Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits trail close by in the top five. – City Press correspondent

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