BLOEMFONTEIN – Free State Stars were defeated 2-0 by Kaizer Chiefs in an Absa Premiership fixture at the James Motlatsi Stadium last night. Chiefs led 1-0 at halftime.

With the victory, Chiefs swept to the top of the log standings on 10 points after five games, followed by Golden Arrows (also on 10), with Orlando Pirates, Polokwane City and Cape Town City all on eight points.

Chiefs were awarded an early penalty after Sibusiso Khumalo was brought down by Joseph Okumu. Amakhosi’s Zimbabwean strongman Willard Katsande stepped up and made no mistake with the spot-kick, sending Stars goalkeeper Thela Ngobeni the wrong way.

But with the Soweto side having found their groove again, it was only a matter of time before they scored – and it duly arrived. After a delightful passing move involving a few players, the ball fell to Chiefs’ new Zimbabwean striker Michelle Katsvairo, who made no mistake with a sweet finish.

Meanwhile in Polokwane, newly-promoted Baroka FC saw their shaky start to the season continuing when they were outclassed by Chippa United in a 3-0 defeat at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

The first half saw neither team able to find much rhythm or fluency in their games, with clear-cut scoring chances few and far between, while the second half was dominated by Chippa as Dan Malesela’s side turned on the style.

The deadlock was broken in the 43rd minute when van Marc van Heerden beat Oscarine Masuluke with a superb free kick, registering his first goal for the Chilli Boys.

An injury to Masuluke five minutes after the restart saw him having to be replaced by Xolani Ngcobo. And things got worse for Baroka as Xolani Ngcobo found himself beaten just two minutes after coming on, David Zulu getting on the end of a Thembinkosi Lorch cross to double Chippa’s advantage in the 58th minute.

The next goal came five minutes later, Andile Mbenyane doing some excellent work which resulted in Van Heerden’s shot being parried by Ngcobo and into the path of Mbulelo Wambi, who made no mistake on the rebound.

SuperSport United goalkeeper Ronwen Williams saved a penalty in the second half to help his team hold on for a 1-1 draw in an Absa Premiership match against Golden Arrows at the Princess Magogo Stadium.

SuperSport took an early lead when Kingston Nkhatha buried his chance in the 13th minute. Musa Bilankulu then equalised for Arrows before the half-hour mark after a well-worked free kick by the home side.

SuperSport were reduced to 10 men in the second half when leftback Onismor Bhasera was shown a second yellow card before Arrows were awarded a penalty with about 22 minutes to go. However, Williams brilliantly saved Wayde Jooste’s penalty to earn his team a share of the spoils on the night.

Arrows were awarded a penalty in the 78th minute when Denwin Farmer brought down Jooste in the area. However, Jooste couldn’t beat Williams, who made another brilliant save later on to deny Arrows the three points.

– African News Agency

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