MTNFootball

Bernard Parker celebrates

Four goals from Bernard Parker helped Kaizer Chiefs record an emphatic 6-0 win over AmaZulu in their first Absa Premiership match of the season at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Kingston Nkhatha and Siyabonga Nkosi scored the other goals as Chiefs got their 2012/13 campaign off to a great start.

After a cagey start it was the visitors who got their first shot on target in the 26th minute as Tshabalala played a one-two with Nkhatha but his shot was palmed away by Kapini.

Six minutes later Kapini pulled off another good save as he parried Jimmy Jambo's effort to safety after the fullback had received a pass from Parker.

The opening goal arrived in the 38th minute as Parker collected a pass from Josta Dladla outside the box and raced towards goal before firing past Kapini.

The lead was doubled three minutes later as Nkhatha pounced to volley in the rebound after Erick Mathoho's header had come off the crossbar.

Parker could've grabbed his brace just before the break as he came sliding in to connect with a low cross from Josta Dladla, but somehow the ball went over the crossbar.

AmaZulu continued to fight after the break and in the 54th minute Kagiso Senamela thought he had done enough to beat Itumeleng Khune with a powerful shot from 25 yards out, only to be denied by the crossbar.

That chance only served as a warning to Chiefs and three minutes later they took the game further away from Usuthu as Parker beat Kapini on the near post after receiving a pass from Reneilwe Letsholonyane.

Parker scored his third goal of the match in the 65th minute, collecting another pass from Letsholonyane before curling the ball past Kapini.

The former FC Twente man was not done and in the 72nd minute he scored his fourth goal of the match, beating Kapini with an audacious pass after receiving a pass from Nkosi.

Parker then returned the favour in the 90th minute as he turned down a chance to shoot at goal but instead squared the ball for Nkosi to score Chiefs' sixth goal of the night.