Coach Nasreddine Nabi endured possibly his worst night in charge of Kaizer Chiefs when his side were humbled 4-1 by struggling SuperSport Unitedin their Betway Premiership clash at a rain-soaked FNB stadium on Tuesday.
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Two former Glamour Boys did the damage, with Samir Nurkovic opening the scoring very early on and Christian Saile restoring Matsatsantsa’s lead after Glody Lilepo had briefly drawn Kaizer Chiefs level.
SuperSport United scored twice more in the second half through Giamphani Lungu and Siphesihle Ndlovu, either side of Gaston Sirino receiving a red card for violent conduct.
The result no doubt left a broad smile on the face of SuperSport United coach – and former Kaizer Chiefs mentor – Gavin Hunt.
Slow start
Amakhosi made an uncharacteristically slow start to the match and their typical sharp passing was clearly hampered by the unfavourable conditions, with the heavy pitch slowing the ball down noticeably.
They were caught out with only two minutes gone when Bradley Cross lost Lungu’s right flank run and the winger was set free to play the ball across goal where Nurkovic was waiting unmarked to beat Bruce Bvuma.
It could have been worse in the 17th minute but for a remarkable goal line clearance by Rushwin Dortly, who managed to fend away a Lungu shot that had beaten Bvuma and was millimetres from crossing the line.
Gradually, Amakhosi began to adapt to the situation and put some positive moves together.
On 25 minutes a good interchange involving Lilepo and Frosler saw the fullback set up Yusuf Maart to fire just wide.
Five minutes later, Kaizer Chiefs drew level.
A lovely through ball by Sirino freed Frosler to play the ball across the box to the far post, where Pule Mmodi made a slight hash of his finish, allowing Ricardo Goss to save his effort.
However, Mmodi redeemed himself by picking up the rebound and crossing for Lilepo to soar above the defence in Cristiano Ronaldo-like fashion to plant a header into the net.
Kaizer Chiefs were only level for two minutes though as they conceded what was virtually a carbon copy of the first goal they conceded, only this time it was Nurkovic laying the ball across goal for Saile to finish from close range.
Amakhosi attempted to get back on level terms, with Sirino having a shot saved and Inacio Miguel heading a corner over the bar but when the halftime whistle blew, SuperSport United held 2-1 lead.
They came out with more intent after the break, with Taashriq Morris going close twice in the early stages.
But, disaster struck in the 63rd-minute when yet another ball in from wide caused Amakhosi’s undoing, as Bvuma dived at the feet of Nurkovic only to palm the ball into the path of Lungu, who side-footed the ball home from eight yards out.
The hosts were then reduced to 10 men with Sirino unnecessarily seeing red for lashing out at Lungu in an innocuous scuffle in the 68th minute.
Seven minutes later, Amakhosi were fortunate not to concede again when a free-kick that has struck Bvuma’s crossbar was bundled into the net by Nurkovic, but he was correctly called offside.
They did, sadly, give up a fourth in the 83rd minute with Ndlovu placing the ball beyond Bvuma’s reach into the top corner to complete a night to forget for Nasreddine Nabi and his team.
Standings
The result saw Kaizer Chiefs slip a place to sixth in the Betway Premiership standings.
Amakhosi have just 25 points from 18 league matches, having won seven, lost seven and drawn four games.
They are a full 17 points behind log-leaders Mamelodi Sundowns – and have played twomore matches.
Things won’t get any easier for Nabi who has less than a fortnight to plot a strategy to face Masandawanain their next outing on Saturday, 1 March (15:30), with this weekend’s scheduled fixture against Royal AM indefinitely postponed.
Kaizer Chiefs are desperately clinging to a MTN8 spot, but have played more matches than almost all of their nearest challengers.
Meanwhile, SuperSport United stayed 12th in the standings.
UPDATED BETWAY PREMIERSHIP LOG
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