Aces unseat Chiefs
KAIZER Chiefs dropped precious points in the championship chase as they ceded their long standing lead of the Premier Soccer League with a shock 1-0 home loss to Mpumalanga Black Aces.
Substitute Miguel Timm scored a dramatic winner five minutes into stoppage time at the end of a tempestuous encounter to add Chiefs to their recent scalp of Orlando Pirates.
Timm ran onto a ball from Abia Nale to stroke the ball home wide of Itumeleng Khune.
It was a second successive home defeat for Chiefs, who lost their top of the table clash to Mamelodi Sundowns last Saturday, and now are three points behind Sundowns but have a game in hand.
Chiefs had only themselves to blame after missing a myriad of second half chances as Bernard Parker blasted wide with the goal at his mercy on two occasions after half-time.
Katlego Mphela had a header wide as well with the last touch of the game but it was a night to forget for Chiefs. “We did not show the quality in our mental and technical game,” coach Stuart Baxter said.
The game descended in the last 10 minutes after some pushing and shoving between the places as frustrations boiled over. Six yellow cards were handed out by referee Khulasande Qongqo, who had a controversial game.
Just before half-time Tendai Ndoro was clearly brought down by Willard Katsande in the penalty box with a late tackle but the referee ignored what would have seemed a clear call for a spot kick.
It was a major let off for the champions who had early control of the game but saw the plucky Aces come back strongly. Chiefs started brightly with three efforts inside the opening 10 minutes, the best of which fell to Tefu Mashamaite from a corner.
But Aces slowly worked their way back, although it took about 20 minutes for Ndoro to get Aces’ first effort in.
Both clubs battled to maintain possession in a congested midfield, where Themba Zwane, called up to the Bafana squad on Tuesday, was largely overshadowed.
Chiefs had two good chances from free kicks, with Bernard Parker forcing a good save out of Jackson Mabokgwane with a dipping effort that just crept over the Aces’ wall.
Aces continued their role as spoilers as they moved joint fourth after taking four points off Orlando Pirates in the last month and now Chiefs. They are next up against Sundowns away at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns took the lead in the Absa Premiership with last night's workmanlike 1-0 victory against Bloemfontein Celtic at Loftus Versfeld.
Surprise Moriri's 24th-minute goal separated the two teams.
For the first time since December a team other than Kaizer Chiefs leads the PSL. Sundowns have threatened to land the psychological blow of taking the lead in the past two weeks with their victories against Pretoria University, and then Chiefs 1-0 on the weekend.
Last night they finally managed to unseat the leaders with a three-point gap at the top, though Amakhosi do still have a game in hand.
The news that Black Aces had scored a late goal to sink Chiefs 1-0 at FNB was greeted by celebrations in the stands at Loftus.
- Results from last night’s other matches:
- Mark Gleeson and Marc Strydom
