Mduduzi Shabalala showed why he is highly rated by scoring a brilliant goal that earned Kaizer Chiefs a 1-0 win over Chippa United on Sunday.
Chiefs were looking to end their three-match winless run and in a game when chances were few and far between, it was down to the individual brilliance of Shabalala to bail them out.
Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali had made a couple of good saves before the goal, first showing great agility to deny Yusuf Maart from a header before punching away Wandile Duba’s cross.
How did Shabalala do it?
However, there was no denying Shabalala on the stroke of halftime. The 20-year-old received the ball and weaved his way past his markers before firing low past Nwabali at the near post.
That proved to be the difference maker as Chiefs rarely came close to scoring again with Shabalala having a tame effort saved 10 minutes after the break.
It was the brilliance of Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma which ensured Amakhosi held on for their win as he thwarted two good attempts from Chippa in the second half.
Rare clean sheet for Chiefs
Victory sees Chiefs snap their three-game winless run, ensuring the year will end on a positive note, after their last victory had come on November 27 when they beat Richards Bay 2-1.
Nasreddine Nabi’s men have now moved to seventh place on 15 points from 10 matches and the veteran tactician will be delighted that his side kept a clean sheet which has been rare this season.
It was the first clean sheet for Chiefs in the PSL this season, and just their second in all competitions, since beating SuperSport United 4-0 in the Carling Knockout first round on October 19.
