Gavin Hunt crushes Kaizer Chiefs’ joy

SuperSport United simply did not want lightning to strike a second time in the same place. 

Kaizer Chiefs thumped United 4-0 in the last 16 stage of the Carling Knockout here last week but coach Gavin Hunt’s much changed and determined side flatly refused to be beaten by Amakhosi this time around. 

They dug deep yesterday to register a hard fought 1-0 league win that may be the tonic needed to restart their season. 

United produced a gallant display to move from the bottom half to the middle of the Betway Premiership table as they recovered from successive defeats to Cape Town City and Orlando Pirates. 

For Chiefs, whose multitude of fans forced the delay of the start by 30 minutes, this is not what they expected as they have suffered back-to-back league losses to stay middle of the table. 

This was a disappointing return for Amakhosi fans, who created an intoxicating atmosphere at this near-full Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane where they were clearly outnumbered by the hosts on the stands. 

Amakhosi must dust themselves off to face newly promoted Magesi on Wednesday at this venue, and coach Nasreddine Nabi will be desperate for a positive result. This especially because after Magesi, Nabi and his men have an important appointment with rivals Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout quarterfinal at FNB Stadium on Saturday. 

It will be important for Amakhosi to go into the crunch knockout match with winning momentum.

United coach Hunt rang a number of changes from the team that lost 2-0 to Pirates during the week, and his brave decision paid dividends as players who were introduced rose to the occasion. 

Thakasani Mbanjwa replaced Ricardo Goss between the sticks and he had answers to most of the questions asked by Chiefs attackers Ranga Chivaviro, Wandile Duba and Gaston Sirino. 

Goss was left out of the matchday squad in what was supposedly a strong message by Hunt that he wanted an improved performance. 

In defence, Hunt introduced Ime Okon and Aphiwe Baliti for Pogiso Sanoka and Lyle Lakay. In midfield Nokutenda Magezi replaced Brooklyn Poggenpoel and Keanin Ayer came on for Neo Rapoo — and they rose to the occasion. 

On the other hand, Nabi went with the tried and tested team with the foundation laid on goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari and central defenders Inácio Miguel and Rushwin Dortley. 

For some steel in the midfield, Nabi went with young Samkelo Zwane, who had a storming game, alongside Edson Castillo, while Sirino and Mduduzi Tshabalala were tasked with providing the creative spark. 

Duba, who was wasteful on the right wing, and Chivaviro led the attack but they didn’t have the wherewithal to influence this match in their team’s favour.

Chiefs settled first in the match, with Zwane and Castillo dictating matters from the heart of the midfield, and making plays for the likes of Shabalala, Sirino, Duba and Chivaviro, who could not breach the United defence. 

Amakhosi had to make adjustments earlier than expected on 22 minutes when Castilo was forced off the field injured and replaced by Yusuf Maart, who slotted into battle effortlessly alongside Zwane. 

For all their good start and early dominance, Amakhosi didn’t have anything to show as they were caught on a quick counter-attack that resulted in Tashreeq Morris opening the scoring two minutes from the break. 

In the second half, United upped their tempo and started to match Chiefs while at the same time protecting the lead that Hunt desperately needed after a recent run of poor results. 

Now that these three points have been successfully negotiated, United turn their focus to their next league match against Golden Arrows on Wednesday, where they will hope to maintain their winning momentum. 

This was a match where Hunt took a brave decision and was handsomely rewarded as Mbanjwa, who pulled a stunning save in the closing stages, Ime Okon, Baliti, Magezi and Mbanossoum repaid the faith put in them. 

There were also solid performances from the experienced Nyiko Mobbie, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Siphesihle Ndlovu and Morris as United recorded this crucial victory. 

Scorers:

SuperSport — Tashreeq Morris (43rd)