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Pretoria - Kaizer Chiefs warmed up for the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates with a 2-1 win over University of Pretoria at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon in an Absa Premiership encounter.
Reneilwe Letsholonyane netted two goals in between a Geoffrey Massa penalty as Chiefs recorded their best start to the league in the Premier Soccer League era post 1996.
Chiefs proved a threat at set play in the second minute when Tefu Mashamaite connected well with a free-kick cross but his header went narrowly wide off target.
Chiefs took the lead inside the first 20 minutes when constant attack result resulted in a wonderfully worked goal when recalled midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala set up Letsholonyane with a back heel pass with the latter driving home to give Chiefs the lead.
AmaTuks 'keeper Washington Arubi was again threatened when Tshabalala let rip a shot on the edge of the box but the left footed winger saw his shot fly just over the bar.
Chiefs finished the first half largely untested with stand in goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo enjoying a trouble free first stanza.
The second half started on a totally different way to that of the first when Steve Barker’s men were awarded a penalty just three minutes from the resumption of the match.
Massa slammed the ball into the back of the net past Khuzwayo, who was largely responsible for giving away the spot kick.
But Khuzwayo would go on to redeem himself with an excellent one handed save to stop a deflected pile driver.
Twenty minutes from full-time Chiefs reclaimed the lead when Letsholonyane got his second of the match after a volleyed strike from close range thanks to some brave aerial work by Nkhatha who laid off the ball for him to score.
Teams:
Chiefs
Khuzwayo;
Gaxa, Gould, Mashamaite, Masilela; Katsande, Letsholonyane, Nkosi (Maluleka
61’), Tshabalala (Masango 61’), Parker; Nkhatha (Mngadi 88’)
AmaTuks
Arubi;
Kekana, Shoyisa, Robertson (Mosadi 46’), Nzimande, Jaure, Matsi, Ketjijere,
Ntombayithethi, Nyondo (Mnyamane 79’), Massa (Zwane 68’)
