JOHANNESBURG: Kaizer Chiefs captain Willard Katsande scored in stoppage time to snatch a 3-2 victory over Polokwane City on Sunday and end a seven-match winless South African Premiership run.
The rugged midfielder hammered the ball past fellow Zimbabwean George Chigova on 92 minutes to win a match that came alive in the second half at Soccer City stadium in Soweto.
In a rollercoaster matchday 14 clash, four-time Premiership champions Chiefs trailed 1-0 at half-time before going in front through two goals inside 10 minutes.
Unfashionable Polokwane, who had never beaten Chiefs in six previous league games, levelled eight minutes from time and it seemed the hosts' embarrassing run would continue.
But Katsande, a 30-year-old more renowned for fearless tackling and frequent yellow cards than scoring, had other ideas.
It was Chiefs' first Premiership victory since mid-October and moved them two places higher in the 16-club table to fourth, four points behind leaders Cape Town City.
As the final whistle blew, under-fire Chiefs coach Steve Komphela received high-fives, handshakes and hugs from technical staff and players.
"I am particularly happy for our supporters," the former South Africa captain and centre-back told reporters.
"We want to stop putting them through this sort of match where we snatch victory in additional time. They deserve better.
"Our first-half performance was terrible -- I did not recognise the team as one representing a great club like Kaizer Chiefs.
"There was a big improvement in the second half. We showed determination, attacked continuously and never stopped trying to win."
Belgium-born Polokwane coach Luc Eymael believed his team would have won had Rodney Ramagalela converted a first-half penalty with the game goalless.
"I doubt Chiefs would have come back from two goals behind. The result is disappointing because we contributed to our downfall with slack marking."
Ramagalela, the third most prolific Premiership scorer this season with five goals, saw his weak, poorly placed spot-kick pushed away by Brilliant Khuzwayo.
Ramagalela atoned by breaking the deadlock on 30 minutes with a low shot, giving the visitors a lead they retained until Bernard Parker headed a 62nd-minute equaliser.
A Parker cut-back set up Joseph Molangoane to fire Chiefs into the lead from close range only for Puleng Tlolane to level on 82 minutes with a shot between the legs of Khuzwayo.
Katsande then abandoned his holding midfield duties to venture forward and bring joy to a crowd composed mainly of Chiefs supporters.
Golden Arrows dropped one place to sixth, five points adrift of Cape Town City, after drawing 1-1 at Baroka, who moved up one position to 14th and out of the relegation zone.
Ronald Matloga put Baroka ahead midway through the opening half at Peter Mokaba Stadium in northern city Polokwane and Zimbabwean Danny Phiri equalised 14 minutes from time.
Comments
Comments are closed.