0-1 v Kaizer Chiefs - 16 July 2011 - Away

Kaizer Chiefs defeated Tottenham Hotspur 1 – 0 in their opening match of the 2011 Vodacom Challenge, having in two previous meetings been unable to win against the North Londoners it was Chiefs first victory after three clashes against Spurs.

Lehlohonolo Majoro had two chances to have scored for the Amakhosi in the first half, the match winning strike came courtesy of George Lebese in second half stoppage time to earn the Amakhosi the win.

With each team testing the other out the opening quarter of the game saw players from both sides going wide with efforts from distance, Niko Krancjar shot wide of Itumeleng Khune’s left hand up right with a shot from distance in the 5th minute.

While Siphiwe Tshabalala failed to hit the target from around twelve yards from goal after he done well to cut past Spurs defender Sebastian Bassong but he sent his effort over the goal from the left side of the Spurs 18 yard area.

It took the boot of a Spurs defender to block Chiefs new boy Lehlohonolo Majoro from giving the Amakhosi the lead as his eleventh minute shot looked goal bound until it was deflected out for a corner.

Majoro though would have two more chances again before the half was out to have scored his first Chiefs goal, on 31 minutes Spurs keeper Carlo Cudicini could only parry Dominic Isaacs powerful drive from the edge of the 18 yard area into the path of Mojoro. With the goal at his mercy the Chiefs striker conspired to miss hit the target and sent his effort wide of goal.

Five minutes later Kaizer Motaung sent in the perfect ball towards Majoro lurking close to goal, he was able to rise up and make contact with the ball but send his effort just inches over the cross bar.

Spurs made a host of changes at halftime and brought on the dangerous Gareth Bale, but the first half fell to Chiefs Majoro’s powerful shot along the ground was palmed to safety by Cudicini, after Nengomasha had held up the ball and then laid it off for Major in the 51st minute.

Itumeleng Khune denied Spurs from taking the lead when he come up with an amazing one hand stop in the 68th minute, Bale sent in the perfect ball and found the head of the towering Peter Crouch another second half substitute.

Crouch’s header was on target Khune dived at full length to stick out a hand and prevented the ball from crossing the line.

Just past the hour mark Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic made wholesale changes brining on Knowledge Musona, George Lebese and handing a first Chiefs appearance to Tefu Mashamaite.

In the final ten minutes the game saw end to end action with Bale shooting over Khune’s post from a tight angle on the left on 81 minutes, shortly thereafter Lebese shot just wide of Cudicini’s left hand up right.

In the final minute of the game Bale played a few quick short passes with Rafael Van Der Vaart before unleashing a volley at goal, again Khune came up with the perfect save as he lunged off the ground to push the ball over his post.

From the corner Chiefs managed to launch a counterattack with Musona, Nale and Lebese storming up the field, Musona played the ball to his right to Nale who in turn laid the ball of to Lebese and with Bongani Khumalo bearing down on him. Lebese kept his cool and fired the ball past Cudicini to give Chiefs the lead.

The Amakhosi now prepare for their next clash with Orlando Pirates on Thursday, and will be aiming for another win which will give them a second outing against Spurs.