It was an eventful game at the Soccer City stadium on Saturday as Kaizer Chiefs showed character to claim a big win, even with two players sent off. Bernard Parker scored the all-important goal that gave the South African outfit the win.
Amakhosi kept their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League alive with a 1-0 win over Wydad Casablanca.
Chiefs made two changes from the side that claimed a 1-0 derby win over Orlando Pirates, with Yagan Sasman getting a surprise start alongside Lebogang Manyama who made his return to the squad. Leonardo Castro, Khama Billiat and veteran goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune were all named on the bench.
Amakhosi made quite the impression in the early stages and Bernard Parker came close to breaking the deadlock with an acrobatic effort that went just wide.
Kaizer Chiefs were dominating possession and keeping Wydad locked in their own half. For emphasis, Amakhosi had about 68 per cent of possession after the half hour mark, with two goal attempts already. On the other hand, Wydad had no chance created at the time.
However, the visitors soon started to grow into the game and it all changed after Chiefs were reduced to ten men. Goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi was shown a straight red card after he appeared to handle the ball outside the area.
Manyama was the one who had to make way for Khune to come in for the Nigerian, with the first half ending goalless.
Despite the one-man disadvantage, Chiefs made a dream start to the second half after Parker ended a long goal drought to give his side the lead via a header from a counter-attacking move. It was the first goal in 764 days for the veteran forward.
Wydad started to pressure Amakhosi in search of an equalizer and Amine Farhane should have leveled matters with a header inside the box but saw his effort sail just slightly over the bar.
Hunt’s men were forced to defend as a team towards the end of the game as they were left with another man down. Samir Nurkovic got his marching orders after receiving his second yellow card in the 89th minute.
In the ends, Chief hanged on for a crucial win and moved up to eight points in the group standings, although remaining in third place and level on points with second-placed Horoya. Wydad’s lead at the top dropped to two points following the loss.
The final group stage match in Guinea will decide the Amakhosi’s fate! If they lose or play out to a goalless draw, Horoya will proceed but if they draw with a goal being scored or win, Chiefs will proceed!