Kaizer Chiefs secured their first win in 2023 after defeating Royal AM 2-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
DStv Premiership
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 Royal AM
Date: 29 January 2023
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Chiefs made four changes to the side that narrowly lost to Mamelodi Sundowns, as goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, Siyabonga Ngezana, Siyethemba Sithebe and Mduduzi Shabalala came to the fore while new signing Christian Saile Basomboli started from the bench.
Six minutes in, Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane was forced to make a change as Reeve Frosler was replaced by Dillion Solomons after a collision with Ngezana.
The hosts were quick out of the blocks after that as Ashley Du Preez had a big chance on ten minutes after racing through on goal but he fired his shot straight at goalkeeper Hugo Nyame.
The Glamour Boys did not allows Royal AM to settle and ten minutes later, Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana had a good opportunity unmarked at the near post after a low cross by Dillan Solomons but opted for cheeky backheel that was smothered by Nyame.
The game was temporarily suspended just after that for 15 minutes due to bad lighting in rainy conditions and that affected the rhythm, particularly Chiefs' momentum after play resumed.
Royal AM took the game to Amakhosi more than before the interruption as the first stanza drew to a close but that allowed the hosts to have space on transitions, although Zwane's men lacked the final pass in the last third.
Chiefs almost had the perfect start in the second stanza after Keagan Dolly went clear on goal from the restart but side-footed his shot straight at Nyame in a one-on-one.
The Glamour Boys struggled to combine up top and Zwane eventually made an attacking change nine minutes later, as Basomboli was given his debut off the bench in place of Bimenyimana.
Chiefs continued to pressurise Royal AM and were rewarded on the hour mark when Sifiso Hlanti glancing home a header from a set-piece delivery by Dolly for his first goal in the club's colours.
With the game on the edge, Amakhosi looked to take control of the contest with a double change in the last 16 minutes, as Phathutshedzo Nange replaced Shabalala to pack the midfield and Kgaogelo Sekgota came on for Dolly for fresh legs.
Chiefs had an injury blow in the last ten minutes as Solomons was rushed off the pitch down the tunnel with a suspected dislocated shoulder and could not be replaced, as all the substitution slots were used.
However, Du Preez put the game to bed for Zwane's men five minutes later after he connected with a cross from Basomboli, who raced past his marker on the right wing
Here's how they lined up:
Kaizer Chiefs: 1. Petersen, 39. Frosler, 2. Dove, 30. Ngezana, 23. Hlanti, 6. Sithebe, 8. Maart, 42. Shabalala, 10. Dolly, 9. Du Preez, 28. Bimenyimana
Subs: 32. Khune, 4. Kwinika, 24. Nange, 33. Radebe, 37. Zwane, 14. Sekgota, 18. Solomons, 21. Saile, 36. Duba
Royal AM: 1. Nyame, 44. Dube, 29. Sikakane, 3. Nascimento, 14. Matlaba, 38. Mashiane, 5. Dlamini, 26. Magaqa, 12. Mahlasela, 9. Macuphu, 34. Thikazi
Subs: 32. Ngcobo, 2. Msomi, 7. Pelembe, 11. Potsane, 17. Mogaila, 24. Lingwati, 30. Gamildien, 33. Sera, 50. Masuku
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