MTHOKOZISI MNCENU
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1
Scottland FC (0) 0
THE WINNING of Kaizer Chiefs in the Toyota Cup should have left its fans encouraged by the turn of fortune of this Naturena team, which was the first to win this tournament which it was playing for the third time since its establishment.
Chiefs, who finished in third place in the Betway Premiership log last season, hired Fernando Da Cruz from France, with the aim of doing better in the league and the Caf Confederation Cup, which he returns to next season.
Since the tournament was established, the Chiefs have never won it. In the last two, they lost 4-0 to Young Africans SC from Tanzania, last season they were beaten by Asante Kotoko from Ghana in the penalty shootout at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban.
Chiefs took the lead in the 17th minute with Mfundo Vilakazi’s goal after a mistake by the visitors’ back wall.
This goal should have gone down well with Da Cruz following his recent speech where he was encouraging Vilakazi that it is time for him to compete with the best players in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
This goal seemed to give the Chiefs more momentum, even though they never entered the Scotland box again until the break.
In the second half, the Chiefs were ordered by goalkeeper Brandon Petersen and stopper Bradley Cross, their place was taken by Given Msimango.
There is much that is clear about the way Da Cruz wants Chiefs to play under his hand, such as the arrival of Adolf Mtasingwa freeing up Lebohang Maboe and Ethan Chilsett to be close to the strikers.
The highlight of the second half is the change of Scotland which included players known as Mamelodi Sundowns, Polokwane City and Chiefs in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) such as Knowledge, Walter Musona and Khama Billiat.
Although it increased the way Scotland was playing, the entry of these players, but the game ended without interfering with the victory of the Chiefs.
Amakhosi will open the Betway Premiership season by visiting Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, on Saturday.