Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana moved to the top of the Golden Boot race in the DStv Premiership as Kaizer Chiefs defeated Golden Arrows in their final clash of the year.
DStv Premiership
Result: Golden Arrows 0-2 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 31 December 2022
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Following the departure of Njabulo Blom, Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane gave Samkelo Zwane his first start while Kamohelo Mahlatsi also started for the first time alongside the return from injuries of striker Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana and goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.
Amakhosi had a slow start and they were nearly punished with only seven minutes on the clock after their former striker Ryan Moon guided a cross six-yard box towards the bottom corner but Khune pulled off a reflex save.
That proved to be a wake-up call for the visitors, as Bimenyimana fired them ahead seven minutes later with a low diagonal shot that went in off the bottom post after a good turn in the box.
Zwane's charges looked good going forward with their combination play and Bimenyimana came close to doubling their lead on the half-hour mark with a dipping shot in the box that was parried over the crossbar by goalkeeper Sifiso Mlungwana.
Chiefs eventually got a two-goal cushion eight minutes before the interval after Edmilson Dove side-footed a low shot towards the bottom corner after he was setup by Bimenyimana, who was involved in a scramble in the box.
Arrows did not give Amakhosi space and time to breathe with their aggressive attacks early in the second stanza and Knox Mutizwa came the closest to pulling a goal back with volley from the edge of the box that was tipped into the crossbar by Khune.
With Chiefs struggling to get out of their own half, Zwane required fresh legs going forward in the last 22 minutes as Mduduzi Shabalala came on for Nkosingiphile Ngcobo.
The Glamour Boys regained their rhythm after that with a change of shape and Shabalala had a big chance 14 minutes before time after beating the offside trap to go clear on goal but his low curling shot was saved by Mlungwana in a one-on-one.
Amakhosi were forced to withdraw Bimenyimana with seven minutes to go after he went down with a suspected injury and was replaced by youngster Wandile Duba.
Arrows finished the game with ten men after Siyabonga Khumalo got a second booking in stoppage time for shirt pulling, as Chiefs held out for the clean sheet and three points.
Here's how they lined up:
Golden Arrows: 36. Mlungwana, 2. Gumbi, 3. Lunga, 27. Nxadi, 37. Ndlovu, 11. Sibiya, 9. Moon, 24. Dlamini, 13. Mmodi, 15. Zuke, 18. Mutizwa
Subs: 28. Mbatha, 7. Magawana, 5. Shitolo, 35. Mantshiyane, 34. Fikizolo, 26. Magubane, 4. Khumalo, 25. Nkosi, 23. Dube
Kaizer Chiefs: 32. Khune, 39. Frosler, 2. Dove, 24. Kwinika, 13. Hlanti, 37. Zwane, 6. Maart, 12. Ngcobo, 10. Dolly, 5. Mahlatsi, 28. Bimenyimana
Subs: 44. Bvuma, 20. Ngezana, 8. Sithebe, 27. Ngcobo, 14. Sekgota, 18. Solomons, 33. Radebe, Duba, 42. Shabalala
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