Polokwane City 2-3 Kaizer Chiefs: Amakhosi open six-point gap over Mamelodi Sundowns

Kaizer Chiefs managed to secure the full three points when they beat Polokwane City 3-2 in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) on Saturday afternoon at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

In their second PSL match since the restart of their league campaign, Chiefs visited their bogey side and they went into the half-time break trailing 1-0.

As they were fresh from a 1-1 draw against Bidvest Wits on Wednesday night, the log leaders were looking avenge the 1-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of Rise and Shine at FNB Stadium in the first round.

Coach Ernst Middendorp made four changes from the team he used against the Clever Boys at Orlando Stadium where he brought on Anthony Akumu, Lazarous Kambole, Kearyn Baccus as well as Reeve Frosler.

On the part of the hosts, coach Clinton Larsen was chasing a win as they returned to action since March when the season was forcefully halted because of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, in the seventh minute, Samir Nurkovic nearly opened the scoring when he received a ball in the box, yet his half-volley could only hit the side of the net.

Seven minutes later, City forced a save out of goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi who managed to punch Vusimuzi Mngomezulu’s cross away from danger.

However, the deadlock was broken two minutes later by the Polokwane-based club when Baccus was dispossessed in the heart of the park allowing Lesiba Nku  to capitalize when he flicked the ball over the oncoming Akpeyi.

Skipper Jabulani Maluleke delivered his trademark defence-splitting passes for Salulani Phiri but the speedy attacker could not direct his effort on target with only Akpeyi to beat in the 20th minute.

Polokwane goalkeeper Cyril Chibwe had to protect their lead when he denied the Soweto giants through Kambole heading to the 40th minute as Larsen's troops went to the tunnel leading 1-0.

Upon their return from the interval, Middendorp introduced Willard Katsande for Baccus, Ramahlwe Mphahlele for Frosler whilst Bernard Parker came on for Yagan Sasman as they looked to solidify their midfield and break down the hosts’ defence.

Amakhosi resorted to long balls into the final third in search of Nurkovic, but Chibwe was equal to the task towards the hour mark.

On the other hand, veteran midfielder, Maluleke was at his best on set-pieces when he doubled their lead from range after his free-kick deflected off the wall to beat the Nigerian keeper on his left corner, making it 2-0.

Chiefs looked for an immediate response from a free-kick in a promising area just outside of the box, but defender Erick Mathoho’s header could not trouble Chibwe.

A few moments later, Lebogang Manyama and teammates continued to probe for a goal as his delivery into the box produced brilliant save from the Zambian international goalkeeper.

Eventually, the Naturena-based giants managed to pull one back through Katsande  when he headed home on the far post after Nurkovic’s intelligent flick-on from the near post with 19 minutes to go.

Four minutes later, Akumu made it 2-2 for the log leaders from Parker’s well-taken corner kick, allowing the big midfielder to slot it home from close range.

As City was still licking their wounds, Nurkovic unleashed a thunderous shot from range a minute later to beat Chibwe on the right corner, making it 3-2 for the Glamour Boys.

Heading to the final 10 minutes of the thrilling contest, Larsen called in Puleng Tlolane to replace skipper Maluleke whilst Middendorp rested Khama Billiat for Philani Zulu.

Meanwhile, Kambole came close to making it four and also net his first in Chiefs’ colours, but he was denied on the goal line following a beautiful pass from Zulu in the 83rd minute.

As they looked to kill off the encounter, substitute and debutant Keletso Sefama managed to win a penalty for his club after he was fouled in the box and Daniel Cardoso missed as his effort hit the crossbar.

Resulting from the hard-earned win, Chiefs now have 52 points at the summit from 24 matches, leaving City in 15th with 23 points from 25 games.