Chiefs march past AmaZulu

Matthew Rusike and Bernard Parker were the men who got a goal each and compounded bottom of the log Usuthu to more misery.

The first real opportunity of the match fell to Chiefs winger Siphiwe Tshabalala in the 15th minute when he found space in the middle of the park and unleashed a shot from 30-yards which went narrowly wide.

Three minutes later the visitors also had their first threat on goal when from a 35-yard free-kick Marc Van Heerden tested Chiefs keeper Itumeleng Khune, but the Bafana shot-stopper made an easy save.

In the 27th minute there was drama when Rusike went down inside the box in what appeared to be a legitimate penalty appeal, but the referee waved away his claims.

But Rusike got the last laugh in the in the 37th minute with his first goal in Chiefs colours.

George Lebese’s cross from the left wing was not properly cleared and the ball fell into the path of Rusike who struck a venomous shot from the edge of the box with his right foot beyond the reach of the helpless AmaZulu keeper Tapuwa Kapini, 1-0.

In the 57th minute, Chiefs should have had a second goal when Lebese laid the ball toward Rusike, but the striker shot high from eight-yards out.

Lebese then once again beat his marker on the left wing before sending a ball into the box for Lehlohonolo Majoro to get onto the end of, but his six-yard header ricochet off the post in the 65th minute.

Eight minutes from time Chiefs doubled their lead through Parker who had been a second half substitute.

The Premiership’s leading goal scorer spotted Kapini off his line and curled a looping shot from just outside the box with his left foot into the back of the net, 2-0.

Chiefs finished with 10-men after Willard Katsande received his marching orders with four minutes remaining after a second bookable offence.

Nonetheless, the win confirms that Chiefs will finish 2012 on top of the Premiership.