Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs recorded their first victory of the year with a slender 1-0 win at home against struggling Golden Arrows.
In a DSTV Premiership match, this was Chiefs’ first win in six matches. They also scored their first goal this year. The win will boost the confidence of Amakhosi ahead of the Soweto derby against bitter rivals Orlando Pirates, at FNB Stadium on Saturday. Arrows are in a serious slump after suffering their ninth successive defeat in all competitions.
Kaizer Chiefs stand-in coach, Cavin Johnson was under pressure to start getting positive results for Amakhosi. Johnson made five changes to the team that played to a goalless draw against the Moroka Swallows last weekend, and it paid dividends. In his first start for the club, 19-year-old Chiefs development product Wandile Duba grabbed the opportunity with both hands, scoring a brilliant goal in the opening minutes of the match. He had to be replaced early in the second half due to an injury.
Arrows were the better side in the second half and were unfortunate not to score an equaliser.
Chief’s keeper, Bruce Bvuma made some crucial saves in the closing stages of the match to ensure Amakhosi collected maximum points.
Johnson, says they have to do better against Pirates on Saturday.
“I thought it was a game of two halves. In the first one, we played well. I thought we came off the blocks better than we’ve done in our past games, but in the second one, we gave them a little bit of opportunity. They played a little better than us. They had some moments in the dying moments, especially. My head when I had the three points now started thinking about Saturday, and as always, it’s a big game, our supporters are a little bit happier today with us, and we got to go and prepare a lot better for Pirates than we did in our last game against them.”
In another match played last night, Stellenbosch F.C. climbed to second spot on the log after a hard-earned 1-nil win over neighbours Cape Town City in a Western Cape derby. The only goal of the match was scored by forward Devin Titus in the 33rd minute.
Stellies coach Steve Barker is happy to collect the maximum points.
“A massive three points to take us, you know, to the position we want to be in, but yeah, a massively hard-fought game. We always knew that. You know, they are a team that plays and sends a lot of numbers. You know, even one of their centre backs joins in the attack. The wingbacks are high, so we always knew on transition we would always have an opportunity, which we did. We are very proud of the effort this evening; the players deserve everything they are doing, but the big game is on Saturday, so we got to enjoy it this evening.”
Meanwhile, Moroka Swallows had to come from behind to salvage a draw away to Amazulu at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi. Usuthu took the lead through defender Riaan Hanamub midway through the second half. However, the lead was cancelled out by Augustine Mahlonoko in injury time to get a crucial point on the road for the Birds.
Swallows coach Musa Nyatama says, “We went to sleep there; other than that, we were compact, especially in the middle with that diamond shape with Bafana, Khupe, Lindo, and Jacob Everson, but unfortunately, in the game of football, you must not sleep; immediately when you sleep, they catch you. But it’s something that we have to learn and take the positive out of this match to the next one.”
Four more DSTV Premiership matches will be played this evening. Run-away log leader Mamelodi Sundowns will travel to Nelspruit for their match against TS Galaxy. Orlando Pirates take on Cape Town Spurs, Sekhukhune United will host Royal AM in Polokwane, and second from the bottom Richards Bay F.C. will visit Chippa United.
All matches kick off at 7.30pm CAT.
Full time score: (Duba 11’) Kaizer Chiefs 1 : 0 Golden Arrows#Amakhosi4Life #DStvPrem #Khosified pic.twitter.com/USRUdrw5Eu
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) March 5, 2024
