Absa Premiership
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 Golden Arrows
Date: 01 October 2019
Venue: FNB Stadium
Kaizer Chiefs extended their lead at the top of the Absa Premiership after defeating Steve Komphela's Golden Arrows for a third straight victory.
Amakhosi coach, Ernst Middendorp made three injury-enforced changes from their narrow win over Baroka FC, as goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi replaced Itumeleng Khune, while Njabulo Blom and Willard Katsande replaced Reeve Frosler and George Maluleka.
Chiefs were finding opportunities to get an early goal and were not clinical enough, but their job was made easier in the 25th minute after Khama Billiat's shot struck the hand of Siyabonga Dube.
Daniel Cardoso stepped up and confidently sent shot-stopper Edmore Sibanda the wrong way with a low finish to make it 1-0 to the hosts.
Dube almost made up for his mistake by sending Sibusiso Sibeko clear on goal with 14 minutes remaining of the first stanza, but the latter's shot was crucially blocked by Amakhosi defender Yagan Sasman, who recovered in the nick of time.
Middendorp's men were under pressure in the closing stages of the first stanza but they managed to survive a few scares, including a clearance on the line by Kearyn Baccus on the stroke of half-time.
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Amakhosi were vulnerable at the back after the break following the departure of Sasman through injury. He was replaced by Siyabonga Ngezana.
The changes did not seem to affect Chiefs who got the second goal on the hour-mark as Nkosinathi Sibisi netted an own goal after Khama Billiat's initial header struck the upright.
Middendorp had to make another injury-forced substitution in the last 18 minutes, as Baccus had a thigh strain and he was replaced by Dumisani Zuma.
Knox Mutizwa should have pulled a goal back for Steve Komphela's army with 12 minutes remaining after Akpeyi spilled a long range effort into his pat, but the Zimbabwean forward volleyed his shot over the bar from close range.
The pace of the game was slowed down in the closing phases, although Arrows were the most threatening side, but the visitors could not take their chances as Chiefs clinched their third successive game to notch up 19 points at the top of the table, while Arrows' five-game unbeaten run came to an end.
Here's how they lined up:
Chiefs: 40. Akpeyi, 20. Sasman, 3. Mathoho, 4. Cardoso, 45. Blom, 31. Katsande, 21. Manyama, 25. Parker, 5. Baccus, 11. Billiat, 7. Kambole
Subs: 44. Bvuma, 8. Castro, 26. Gordinho, 39. Mashiane, 30. Ngezana, 43. Twala, 28. Zuma.
Arrows: 30. Sibanda, 14. Dube, 29. Sibisi, 20. Mathiane, 13. Lunga, 15. Makhubela, 5. Shitolo, 26. Phiri, 35. Mitshali, 22. Sibeko, 18. Mutizwa.
Subs: 1. Mbaeva, 23. L.Dube, 2. Nkombelo, 39. Phew, 4. Venter, 11. Sibiya, 16. Parusnath,
