Kaizer Chiefs missed the chance to move second on the DStv Premiership table after losing 1-0 to Cape Town City on Tuesday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 Cape Town City
Date: 03 October 2023
Venue: FNB Stadium
Chiefs handed Sibongiseni Mthethwa his first start alongside the return of goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, as George Matlou and Brandon Petersen were ruled out with injuries while Keagan Dolly featured on the bench for the first time this season.
Amakhosi saw most of the ball in the opening exchanges and Pule Mmodi should have sent them ahead on 12 minutes after going clear on goal at the near post but he was denied by shot-stopper Darren Keet in a one-on-one.
Chiefs managed to get behind the City defence shortly after the hour-mark after Christian Saile beat his marker for pace on the wing but his cross had too much power and missed the Mmodi and Ashley Du Preez in the box.
The visitors showed more attacking intentions towards the end of the first stanza, as Khanyisa Mayo almost broke the deadlock with a glancing header that missed just wide and Saile also missed a similar chance for Chiefs, as the sides went to the half-time break deadlocked.
City changed their approach with three attacking changes at half-time, as they brought on Darwin Gonzalez, Taahir Goedeman and Jaedin Rhodes.
The changes by Eric Tinkler gave them urgency going forward and Khanyisa Mayo eventually broke the deadlock just before the hour-mark with a free header at the back post after a cross by Gonzalez.
Ntseki reacted with a double attacking change, as he brought on Dolly for his first appearance of the season and Ranga Chivaviro in places of Mmodi and Saile.
The Glamour Boys had the challenge of breaking down a City defence that defended deep and with 20 minutes to go, they resorted to crosses in the box as Njabulo Ngcobo came close to the equaliser with a diving header that was saved by Keet from point-blank range.
City continued to absorb the pressure in the dying minutes and denied Chiefs spaces behind their defence but Dolly came close in the dying minutes with a strike that was smothered by Keet.
The Glamour Boys lost their fourth game of the season in the league and dropped down to seventh on the log while City moved up to fifth.
Here's how they line up:
Kaizer Chiefs: 32. Khune, 2. Dove, 24. Ditlhokwe, 27. Ngcobo, 39. Frosler, 8. Maart, 17. Castillo, 5. Mthethwa, 21. Saile, 9. Du Preez, 13. Mmodi
Subs: 44. Bvuma, 25. Msimango, 4. Kwinika, 33. Radebe, 3. Mdantsane, 11. Potsane, 7. Chivaviro, 42. Shabalala, 10. Dolly
Cape Town City: 16. Keet, 2. Mkhize, 15. Cupido, 13. Gordinho, 3. Mokeke, 5. Ambina, 26. Nodada, 6. Mokhuoane, 7. Kutumela, 10. Mayo, 11. Nyama
Subs: 31. Mpandle, 8. Sifumba, 13. Van Heerden, 14. Ramazani, April, 20. Gonzalez, 23. Rhodes, 29. Paciencia, 27. Goedeman
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
