Kaizer Chiefs look all but through to the semifinals of the CAF Champions League after putting four past Simba in the first leg of their quarter-final clash on Saturday evening.
Injury struck Chiefs made five changes from their last outing as Eric Mathoho, Reeve Frosler, Njabulo Blom, Dumisani Zuma and Samir Nurkovic all started while Bruce Bvuma was in goal ahead of the returning Daniel Akpeyi.
Defender Mathoho gave Chiefs the perfect start when he opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a header at the back post after Nurkovic flicked Bernard Parker’s corner into his path.
Gavin Hunt’s men kept pushing for a second goal and they nearly doubled their lead shortly before the half-hour from yet another set-piece. Parker’s cross was met by at the back post Daniel Cardoso but the South African couldn’t direct his shot on target.
Sooner than later, the hosts got a second goal with just quarter of an hour in the half left to play. Nurkovic headed home a Reeve Frosler’s inviting cross to increase his side’s lead over the Tanzanians.
Chiefs were forced to make a change when Zuma went down injured and was duly replaced by Leonardo Castro as the hosts went into the break with a comfortable two goal cushion.
After the break, Amakhosi stayed back and sought to protect their lead while relying on counter-attacks. A third goal soon arrived for the hosts when Nurkovic smashed home a volley into the far corner for his second of the game.
Meanwhile, Simba were still attacking in numbers as they kept searching for a way back into the tie. However, it was Chiefs who got another goal three minutes after the hour mark. Castro headed home a cross from Lebogang Manyama’s cross to take the game beyond the Tanzanian Champions.
However, there was still time for Simba to muster some attempts on goal and Clatous Chama came close to snatching an away goal for the Reds of Msimbazi in the 73rd minute with a strike that flew past the goalpost by inches.
In a bid to see out the game, Hunt sent on Nkosongiphile Ngcobo in place of Manyama for extra energy in the midfield.
Bvuma was finally called into action late on, pulling off a stunning save to ensure Amakhosi keep a clean sheet and take a huge advantage into the second leg in a week’s time.