JOHANNESBURG. — Zimbabwe international striker Kingston Nkhatha downplayed his individual efforts after impressing in Kaizer Chiefs’ 2-1 defeat of relegation-wary Free State Stars on Tuesday night. Nkhatha was targeted by the Amakhosi boo-brigade in the log leaders’ 1-0 win over Chippa United at Peter Mokaba Stadium at the weekend. However, the striker posted the perfect response by scoring the opener before setting up Siyabonga Nkosi’s goal against Ea Lla Koto in a man-of-the-match show at the same venue.
Nkhatha said when congratulated on his display: “It was a team effort. We are always encouraging each other to keep pushing no matter what anyone says.
“This (award) belongs to everyone at Chiefs.”
He added: “At training we keep pushing each other. It’s not just about me, it’s about everyone that plays for Chiefs.”
Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter said Nkhatha and the club’s fans were “magnificent” during the win over Free State Stars.
“The Free State Stars game was a tricky one because of all the hype about Kingston Nkhatha and the booing of him by a section of our supporters,” Baxter told Chiefs’ official website.
“Also, Stars were sitting very deep in their own half, trying to catch us on the break.
“Furthermore, we had to change our way of play, because of players being suspended and being out injured. When we scored the opener, Stars still continued to sit. However, we played really well, especially after we scored the second goal. We could have made another three.
“On the other hand, the last 15 minutes were very sloppy from our side. That’s also how we conceded the goal — it came as a result of a misunderstanding in the defence. Thereafter, we had to try to negotiate the full 90 minutes.”
The Briton added: “Kingston was magnificent tonight. The crowd was also magnificent. Even when Kingston failed to score early in the match, they supported him.
“It seems that what happened on Saturday had an effect on the crowd. Because even that small section of the crowd that wasn’t supportive earlier, tried hard to cheer him on tonight, whatever happened on the field. The atmosphere was brilliant. And Kingston deservedly won the Man of the Match award.”