Kaizer Chiefs ended their seven-game winless run in the DStv Premiership with a 1-0 win over Benni McCarthy’s AmaZulu on Wednesday afternoon.
Samir Nurkovic started for the first time this season in the absence of Leonardo Castro, as the Amakhosi recalled Philani Zulu, Dumisani Zuma and Happy Mashiane from the loss to Maritzburg United.
Nurkovic repaid the faith shown in him on ten minutes when he stayed central in the six-yard area to sweep home a loose clearance from Siyethemba Sithebe to open his account for the season.
AmaZulu were inches away from drawing level following the half-hour mark through a glancing header in the area from Siphelele Mthembu, but the attempt flew wide of Daniel Akpeyi’s goal.
Gavin Hunt’s side recovered and looked for a second minutes before halftime with a curling shot out wide from Zuma, but AmaZulu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa made a save.
Read Also: NLO Signs MOU With Berackiah Football Coaching Clinic
A substitution from the Amakhosi four minutes into the second half saw Mashiane, who limped uncomfortably much of the first half, withdrawn for Lazarous Kambole.
Chiefs targeted a second goal ten minutes after the restart with a rising header from a corner-kick by Anthony Akumu Agay, but it sailed over the top of the intended target.
Usuthu launched a threat too midway in the second half when a pin-point header in the area from Tapelo Xoki narrowly shaved the bottom-corner.
Nurkovic should’ve bagged a goal second goal a little later after getting a head onto a back-post delivery from Zuma, but Mothwa pushed to the near side to pull off a firm save.
Usuthu had chances to draw level late in the match, while a snap shot from Kambole brought Mothwa to an outstretch save as the Amakhosi held their nerve to return to winning ways.
4 Comments
_Can Akpeyi be restored as Super Eagles number one? _
Highly criticised Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has started this season from where he left off last term with performances that single him out as a veteran capable goalkeeper in the South African Premier League.
This week, Nigeria’s 2019 Afcon semi-final scapegoat was instrumental in Kaizer Chiefs 1:0 win against Amazulu FC in the league after his emphatic saves prevented the opposition from clawing their way back into the match.
The win helps them move up the league table following resent slump.
This is Akpeyi’s 5th game of the season put of 8 matches having been benched in Kaizer Chiefs’ last 4 games.
Today’s victory was the first time the club will record such an outcome since 27 October 2020 when the Chiefs achieved a 1:0 away win against Daniel Akpeyi’s former club Chippa United. Incidentally, the Super Eagles goalkeeper was in post for that match.
In fact, Kaizer Chiefs have only won league games with Daniel Akpeyi in goal thus far this season: they recorded 3 losses and 2 draws when Akpeyi was benched but achieved 2 wins, 2 draws and only 1 loss with the Super Eagles goalkeeper in between the sticks.
All these are coming at a time when Akpeyi is expected to be relegated to 3rd choice goalkeeper for the Super Eagles.
Maduka Okoye, who was in goal for Nigeria’s last 4 games, is now more or less the number one goalkeeper for his club Sparta Rotterdam. He has been in goal in his club’s last 9 games to which they recorded 5 wins.
The 21 year old Germany born net minder is expected to continue being Super Eagles number one all other things been equal.
With Uzoho back keeping again for Apoel Nicosia after the sacking of former Ireland coach Mick Mccarthy, it is conceivable to expect him to be second to Okoye in the pecking order.
It is hard to see where Ezenwa would fit in as he hasn’t been overly impressive for Heatlands FC following the resumption of the Nigeria Professional Football League. He has thus far conceded 5 goals in just 2 games.
But Daniel Akpeyi on his part still has a role to play for Nigeria. Records continue to bear him out as a top performer in the South African Premier League.
But the main question is where his performances – however stellar or headline grabbing – can see him ever again be picked ahead of Okoye or Uzoho if both are fit, flying and framed up mentally.
Fantastic for club, jittery for country.
Francis Uzoho is also back with a Good show in Cyprus. He helped his team end their winless run since last year (ending). But CSN didn’t give us that report. So let’s talk about that too and move on from this “Old one that will never change his colour in the Super Eagle Goal Post”.
Na una sabi. Lol. 🙂 🙂 🙂