adminDefending champions Kaizer Chiefs put a disappointing opening South African Premiership match behind them by trouncing Free State Stars 4-0 this weekend to top the table.
Chiefs have four points and lead on goal difference from Mamelodi Sundowns, Mpumalanga Black Aces, SuperSport United and promoted Golden Arrows.
The title-holders, Sundowns and Orlando Pirates scored four goals each and 26 in eight games was a timely boost after the opening round delivered a meagre 11.
A goalless away draw against 10-man Chippa United two weekends ago left new Chiefs coach Steve Komphela lamenting the lack of a cutting edge in attack. And while Free State conceded two own-goals, it was a much improved showing by Chiefs, who averaged just 1.3 goals per game last season en route to championship glory.
Burkinabe Robert Sankara was responsible for the first own-goal, George Lebese scored with a delicate outside-of-the-boot touch and Zimbabwean Liberty Chakoroma put the ball into his own net.
With a 3-0 halftime advantage, the points were secure, leaving veteran Siphiwe Tshabalala to stake an early goal-of-the-season claim with a brilliant 67th-minute strike. A looping, long-range half-volley from the diminutive, dreadlocked midfielder, who scored the first goal of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa flew into the net.
It was the latest stunning early-season goal, with shots by Bernard Parker of Chiefs, Mozambican Helder Pelembe of Bloemfontein Celtic and Mpho Makola of Pirates equally memorable.
The first showdown this season between potential title contenders saw Sundowns net twice within a minute to defeat Wits 4-2 in Atteridgeville near Pretoria.
Zimbabwean Cuthbert Malajila of Sundowns and Daine Klate of Wits bagged braces in a game that produced four goals during the closing stages.
Others to score two goals were Khethukuthula Zwane of Pretoria University and Prince Nxumalo of Ajax Cape Town.
Zwane scored his pair within eight minutes and Pretoria went on to a 3-0 home win over Polokwane City, who have not fixed the porous defence that dogged them last season.
Nxumalo levelled midway through the second half against visiting Maritzburg United, then put Ajax ahead before Nathan Paulse scored to seal a 3-1 triumph for the hosts.
A goal from New Zealand striker Jeremy Brockie salvaged a point for three-time champions SuperSport United in a 1-1 draw at Nelspruit-based Aces.
SuperSport and former South Africa coach Gordon Igesund went on a close-season buying spree with another New Zealander, Michael Boxall, and Australian Isaka Cernak among the signings.
Bafana Bafana midfielder and captain Dean Furman also joined United after leaving English third-tier outfit Doncaster Rovers.
SuperSport chairman Khulu Sibiya responded to the cash splash by reportedly telling Igesund to win the title this season or face the sack. — AFP
Online Reporter