Kaizer Chiefs bounced back from the big loss to Mamelodi Sundowns with a 1-0 win over Richards Bay FC, who suffer their first loss of the season.
DStv Premiership
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 Richards Bay
Date: 20 August 2022
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Chiefs made four changes to the side that lost heavily to Mamelodi Sundowns, as goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, Njabulo Ngcobo, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Kgaogelo Sekgota all got their first starts of the season while Richards Bay were without key striker Somila Ntsundwana.
Amakhosi were on the front foot early on, as Khama Billiat had a big chance on 12 minutes after he was slipped through on goal by Reeve Frosler but his first-time shot was smothered by shot-stopper Jamal Magoola.
Arthur Zwane's charges had another big chance eight minutes later after a rebound fell kindly for Zitha Kwinika from a corner in the box but he guided his shot just over the crossbar.
The home side were caught on a counter-attack and reduced to ten men on the half-hour mark after Yusuf Maart got a straight red card for denying Sanele Barns a goal-scoring opportunity.
Chiefs were under pressure after that and they were fortunate not to go a goal down just before the halftime break after Petersen's poor pass deflected into the path of Katleho Makateng, who missed the gaping net by a whisker.
View the youngest players to have scored for Kaizer Chiefs:
Amakhosi were quick off the blocks from the break as Sithebe came close to breaking the deadlock eight minutes in with a first-time shot that sailed over the crossbar after a square pass by Keagan Dolly.
Zwane's men continued to go forward with combination play and they were awarded a penalty on the hour-mark after Sibusiso Mthethwa stamped on the foot of Sekgota in the box. Solomons stepped up and calmly slotted home for his first goal for the club.
Chiefs absorbed the pressure after that and nearly conceded in the last 20 minutes after Luvuyo Memela powered a diving header at the back post that was plucked off the line by Petersen.
Amakhosi made a defensive change in the last 12 minutes as Billiat made way for Siyabonga Ngezana, before Kamohelo Mahlatsi got his debut in place of Sekgota for fresh legs in attack.
Zwane's men defended in numbers in the dying minutes and although there were some nervy moments at the back, they managed to hold on to bag their second win that moved them up to eighth on the log.
Here's how they lined up:
Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen, Solomons, Nj. Ngcobo, Kwinika, Frosler, Sithebe, Maart, Nk. Ngcobo, Sekgota, Dolly, Billiat.
Subs: Bvuma, Ngezana, Blom, Mashiane, Alexander, Nange, Matlou, Radebe, Mahlatsi
Richards Bay: Magoola, Barns, Mabua, Mthethwa, Mathebula, Mhlongo, Msani, Mabaso, Zungu, Gumede, Makateng.
Subs: Jacobs, Maphathe, Ncanana, Mthembu, Mdabuka, Memela, Mbuthuma, Nyauza, Gumede
