The new era at Kaizer Chiefs got off to disappointing start as they suffered a 1-0 loss to Royal AM on Saturday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Royal AM 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 06 August 2022
Venue: Chatsworth Stadium
Chiefs gave debuts to Zitha Kwinika, Siyethemba Sithebe, Yusuf Maart and Ashley Du Preez, who formed a front three with Khama Billiat and captain for the side Keagan Dolly.
Thwihli Thwahla got off to a quick start as they unsettled Amakhosi and grabbed the lead in the second minute from a corner after Ricardo Nascimento fired home a rebound in the box.
Arthur Zwane's charges were patient, as they built their play from the back with some neat combination play and Du Preez should have restored parity on 26 minutes after he broke clear on goal from Maart's defece-splitting pass but he was denied by goalkeeper Hugo Nyame.
Chiefs continued to threaten going forward but were nearly punished on a counter-attack ten minutes before the break after Tebogo Potsane slipped through on goal down the left channel and played a cut-back for Mxolisi Macuphu, who miscued his shot wide of the mark.
The visitors maintained the tempo of their attacks as the rain drizzled down but Royal AM remained threat on transitions, as they went to the halftime break with a narrow lead.
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Chiefs had a different approach in the second stanza as they looked to play quick balls behind the Royal AM defence and they found spaces, but were ultimately let down by the final pass.
The intensity of the game still remained, as Royal AM also fancied their chances of finding the second goal, with Ryan de Jong a thorn in the flesh for Amakhosi.
Thwihli Thwahla came very close to doubling their lead 20 minutes before time after Nascimento latched onto a knockdown in the box from a set-piece but his volley produced a breathtaking reflex save from shot-stopper Bruce Bvuma.
The hosts refreshed their attack in the closing stages as new signing Ruzaigh Gamildien got his debut in place of Macuphu while the Glamour Boys also introduced Dillan Solomons for his debut in place of Njabulo Blom.
Chiefs pinned Royal AM in their own half in the dying minutes as Dolly had a chance to salvage a point after he was setup for a strike on the edge of the box but his effort dragged wide, as Thwihli Thwahla held on for the win and clean sheet.
Here's how they lined up:
Royal AM: Nyame, Mogaila, Mahlasela, Lingwati, Ndlovu, Manganyi, Nascimento, Macuphu, Potsane, Kobedi, De Jong.
Subs: Mpoto, Ncobeni, Phalane, Pelembe, Masuki, Msomi, Cele, Gamildien, Shezi
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma, Blom, Ngezana, Kwinika, Frosler, Alexander, Sithebe, Maart, Du Preez, Dolly, Billiat
Subs: Petersen, Nj. Ngcobo, Solomons, Mashiane, Matlou, Radebe, Nk, Ngcobo, Sekgota, Shabalala
