Nurkovic-inspired Chiefs thump Simba

by Staff Reporter

Saturday May 15, 2021. 20:17

Kaizer Chiefs defeated Simba SC 4-0 in the CAF Champions League quarter-final first-leg match at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday evening.

The South African giants will now take a 4-0 aggregate lead into the second-leg game against the Tanzanian champions in Dar Es Salaam on May 22.

Amakhosi began the match brightly and they took an early lead through Erick Mathoho, who marked his return to the starting line-up with a goal in the sixth minute.

The towering defender headed home to make it 1-0 to Chiefs in the sixth minute after he had connected with Samir Nurkovic’s flicked header from Bernard Parker’s corner-kick.

Simba then pressed Chiefs as they searched for the equalizing goal, but they were frustrated by the hosts’ defence which was marshaled by Mathoho.

The hosts were soon 2-0 up when Reeve Frosler’s cross was headed home by Nurkovic in the 34th minute – beating Simba goalkeeper Aishi Manula hands down.

Chiefs were deservedly leading 2-0 at the interval having taken their chances in the first-half.

The Reds of Msimbazi were the better side after the restart as they surged forward in numbers in search of the equalizing, but it was Amakhosi, who scored the next goal.

Mohammed Husseini mistakenly headed the ball into Nurkovic’s path and the Serbian striker volleyed the ball past Manula to make it 3-0 to Chiefs in the 57th minute.

The Soweto giants were running riot as they extended their lead through Leonardo Castro, who had replaced the injured Dumisani Zuma in the first-half.

The Colombian marksman scored with a diving header to make it 4-0 to Chiefs after connecting with Lebogang Manyama’s pinpoint cross three minutes after the hour-mark.

Hassan Dilunga was introduced by Simba head coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa in the 74th minute as the Reds of Msimbazi looked to grab a late away goal.

Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma was called into action with five minutes left and he pulled a great save to deny John Bocco and ultimately, Chiefs emerged 4-0 winners on the night.

Chiefs (2) 4 (Mathoho 6′, Castro 63′, Nurkovic 34′, 57′)

Simba (0) 0

Chiefs: Bvuma, Frosler, Ngezana, Cardoso, Mathoho, Zulu, Blom (Katsande 86′), Manyama (Ngcobo 76′), Zuma (Castro 35′), Parker, Nurkovic (Kambole 86′).

Simba: Manula, Kapombe, Hussein, Onyango, Wawa, Lwanga, Chama, Mkhude (Kagere 64′), Mugalu, Bwalya (Dilunga 74′), Miquissone (Bocco 84′).