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Chiefs' victory in vain

Durban - Kaizer Chiefs fulfilled their part of the deal in an attempt to win the Premier Soccer League title as they came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over AmaZulu in Durban on Saturday.

However, the result was not enough to win the championship after other results failed to finish in their favour.

Lehlohonolo Majoro put the Usuthu in front after six minutes at the Moses Mabhida Stadium but a Jimmy Tau strike and late penalty from Knowledge Musona gave the visitors their desired victory.

Chiefs started out brightly and came close early on when Punch Masenamela worked a neat one-two with Musona before arrowing his shot straight into the arms of Mbongeni Mzimela in the AmaZulu goal.

But they were hit hard on the counter attack as Majoro finished cleverly from inside the penalty area after collecting Sibusiso Hadebe's defence-splitting cross from the right to fire the hosts in front.

Chiefs had a good chance to respond from a 20-yard set-piece, with Itumeleng Khune wastefully sending his free kick straight over.

They were level, though, in the 17th minute when Siphiwe Tshabalala's cross from the right picked out Masenamela, whose ball across the face of goal was struck home by Tau.

Vladimir Vermezovic's team continued to look dangerous on attack and should have taken the lead just before the half-hour mark. Musona smashed his shot against the upright after driving runs by Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Tinashe Nengomasha opened up space for the Zimbabwean striker on the left.

He had another chance to put the Amakhosi in front moments later but only managed to head into the ground eight-yards out after a pin-point cross by Masenamela.

Letsholonyane's clever free-kick, 10 minutes before the break, sent Mandla Masango away down the right with Carlington Nyadombo forced to head the ball off the line in desperation.

Masango was then booked for diving before the break as he attempted to win a penalty with Chiefs by far the better team after the opening period.

After the restart, Masango was again involved when he ballooned over from the edge of the penalty area, before he won a free kick 25-yards out on the right, which Tshabalala curled just wide.

There almost nothing on at the other end where the best opportunities for AmaZulu came via half-chances for Sibusiso Hadebe and Tshweu Mokoro -both adeptly dealt with by Khune.

Chiefs still looked determined as they poured forward and substitute Sthembiso Ngcobo's hesitation for an extra moment allowed Bukasa Kasonga to block another real chance.

Down the other end of the field, an error in defence allowed Andile Khumalo in but he woefully shot wide.

With the clock winding down, Chiefs continued to threaten but their failure to hit the target seemed destined to haunt them.

That all changed three minutes from time when Mokoro was harshly adjudged to have handled and Musona made no mistake with the resulting penalty.

But it was too little too late as, with Orlando Pirates beating Golden Arrows 2-1 and Ajax Cape Town only managing a 2-2 draw with Maritzburg United, the title went to the Buccaneers, with Chiefs remaining in third position.

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