Kaizer Chiefs got back to winning ways in the DStv Premiership after defeating Soweto rivals Moroka Swallows 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.
DStv Premiership
Result: Moroka Swallows 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 26 November 2023
Venue: Dobsonville Stadium
Chiefs handed goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma his first start of the season alongside recalls for Sifiso Hlanti, Reeve Frosler, Pule Mmodi and Christian Saile, as five changes from their loss against Orlando Pirates.
Amakhosi had a scare in the first six minutes after Gabadinho Mhango's cracking free-kick hit the top side of the crossbar and went wide.
Cavin Johnson's charges quickly got into rhythm as four minutes later Edmilson Dove had a glancing header that missed the far bottom corner by a whisker.
The Glamour Boys spurned a few good chances from Swallows' mistakes trying to build from the back and nearly conceded just before the half-hour mark after Lindokuhle Mtshali had a lot of space in the six-yard box to fire at goal but he was denied by Bvuma.
Steve Komphela's men pressed Amakhosi high and they nearly paid the price for it just before the break after Sibongiseni Mthethwa caught goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi way out of his area but his audacious long range lob missed the gaping net wide and the sides went to the interval deadlocked.
Chiefs played with a better intensity going forward from the break and Pule Mmodi had a chance seven minutes later after a through ball by Nkosingiphile Ngcobo but his shot was saved by shot-stopper Daniel Akpeyi.
The Glamour Boys continued to have the momentum but they only got close to going ahead with 12 minutes to go, as Mmodi had a shot cleared off the line by Keenan Phillips.
Chiefs made an attacking and tactical change just after that as Edson Castillo replaced Nkosingiphile Ngcobo.
The Glamour Boys' high press paid off moments later as Saile broke the deadlock with a low shot past Akpeyi after a through ball by Yusuf Maart.
Chiefs put the Birds at bay by hurrying them on the ball high up the pitch and managed to hold on to maximum points.
Here's how they line up:
Moroka Swallows: Akpeyi, Phillips, Allan, Sibiya, Sam, Phalane, Jali, Makhubela, Mhango, Mtshali, Mabasa
Subs: Mbanjwa, Sibiya, Japonya, Tshanini, Khumalo, Malinga, Zuma, Van Rhyn, Rampa
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma, Hlanti, Dove, Msimango, Frosler, Maart , Mthethwa, Nk. Ngcobo, Mmodi, Saile, Chivaviro
Subs: Petersen, Kwinika, Castillo, Nj, Ngcobo, Zwane, Gonzalez, Shabalala, Mashiane, Radebe
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