Lebese brace downs Arrows

Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs bounced back to winning ways in the Absa Premiership when they defeated the 10-man Lamontville Golden Arrows 3-1 at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night.
 
A first half brace by George Lebese and a second half strike by Bernard Parker gave Steve Komphela’s men the full three points as they moved up to the third spot with 17 points from 10 matches whilst Arrows sit at the seventh spot with 14 points from nine outings.
 
Amakhosi were awarded an early penalty when Khotso Moleko was fouled by Matome Mathiane in the box after making a great run.
 
Lebese converted by sending Maxmillian Mbaeva the wrong way in the sixth minute, 1-0.
 
After 10 minutes of action, Chiefs dominated the proceedings following their goal and kept Abafana Bes’thende on the backfoot.
 
A number of great touches by Steve Komphela’s men down the left nearly caught the visitors napping in the 18th minute when they made their movement into the box, but the Namibian keeper was alert and collected the dangerous ball.
 
Serame Letsoaka’s charges started to move the ball around after 20 minutes, but their moves were intercepted by the likes of Erick Mathoho and Moleko.
 
In the 23rd minute, Chiefs doubled their lead when Lebese started a move which found Parker, but Mbaeva punched the ball away to see it fall in the Mamelodi-born winger’s path and he finished with ease, 2-0.
 
The Premier Soccer League returnees spent the better part of the first half defending with Itumeleng Khune becoming a spectator.
 
Just after 35 minutes of play, Parker made a great run into the box but his final shot went straight to the keeper.
 
Arrows took the ball to Amakhosi and it was Mabhudi Khenyeza who tried a shot on the edge of the box in the dying seconds of the half, but his attempt was disappointing as it sailed over Khune’s goals.
 
It was 2-0 at half-time for the hosts, but with three minutes into the second half Gladwin Shitolo saw red for a dangerous foul on Baloyi, leaving the visitors down to 10 men.
 
Two minutes after the Shitolo’s exit, Siyabonga Dube stunned Khune with a rocket into the top right-hand corner from 20-yards out, 2-1.
 
Hendrik Ekstein nearly caught Mbaeva in the 56th minute after a sweet pass from the left, but his effort went over the posts.
 
Three minutes later, Lebese made a run into the box down the left, but his shot went inches wide with the keeper beaten.
 
Amakhosi continued to show hunger and in a counter-attack started by Lebese, Parker made it three when he received a cross from substitute Sphelele Mthembu down the left.