Chiefs go nine points clear with win over City

Kaizer Chiefs have further extended their lead at the top of the Absa Premiership after a 3-0 win over Cape Town City at the FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Amakhosi secured the victory thanks to goals from Leonardo Castro, Samir Nurkovic and Eric Mathoho, and have opened up a nine-point advantage over second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns on the log. The Citizens, meanwhile, drop to 13th place, just one point above the red zone at the bottom of the standings.

Chiefs started in a confident frame of mind and claimed the lead in the 11th minute, with Leonardo Castro scoring with a glancing header from Kearyn Baccus’ cross to put the hosts in early control of the game.

City took their time to find a foothold, but around the midway point of the first half they began creating chances, with Thabo Nodada and Kermit Erasmus both sending shots wide of Daniel Akpeyi’s left-hand upright.

The Chiefs goalkeeper made an important save a few minutes before halftime, turning away Bradley Ralani’s low effort (after a jinking run from the winger) to see his side holding a 1-0 lead at the interval.

The Amakhosi made a double change at the start of the second half, withdrawing the pair which combined for the goal – Baccus and Castro – in favour of Dumisani Zuma and Happy Mashiane to try and take back control from a City side gaining in confidence.

Yet the Cape side continued to look the more progressive and fluid side in the second stanza, with the home crowd growing frustrated at their team’s inability to rediscover the dominance they enjoyed in the opening minutes.

Chiefs managed to double their lead somewhat against the run of play in the 63rd minute and again it was via a right-flank cross and glancing header. This time Zuma provided the ball in and Samir Nurkovic had the header to beat Peter Leeuwenburgh’s right hand and make it 2-0.

The second goal broke City’s spirit and Chiefs soon added a third goal. Yet again it was a header to find the net, with Eric Mathoho getting on the end of George Maluleka’s corner kick delivery to power home a fine effort at the near post.

The Soweto giants saw out the remainder of the game in relative comfort, picking up yet another three points as they head toward a first PSL championship since 2014/15. The teams will return to Premiership action next weekend, with Chiefs away to Leopards on the evening of Friday 17 January and City at home to Bidvest Wits the following day.

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 3 (Castro 11’, Nurkovic 63’, Mathoho 66’)

Cape Town City 0

Chiefs: Akpeyi, Moleko, Cardoso, Mathoho, Ntiya-Ntiya, Katsande, Maluleka, Baccus (Mashiane 46’), Manyama (Parker 85’), Nurkovic, Castro (Zuma 46’)

City: Leeuwenburgh, Martin, Fielies, Seedat (David 68’), Edmilson, Nodada, Kewuti, Makola, Mdantsane (Roberts 72’), Ralani (Lakay 81’), Erasmus