Kaizer Chiefs secured their first win of 2024 after defeating Golden Arrows 1-0 in DStv Premiership action on Tuesday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 Golden Arrows
Date: 05 March 2024
Venue: FNB Stadium
Chiefs interim coach Cavin Johnson made a big call as he dropped Ashley Du Preez to the bench and handed 19-year-old Wandile Duba his first ever start at the club while Njabulo Ngcobo took the place of the suspended Edmilson Dove.Amakhosi had a perfect start as Duba gave them the lead in the first 11 minutes with a curling shot from the edge of the box that found the top corner after an off-load from Pule Mmodi.
Arrows looked to press Chiefs high but they were not getting the ball in the right areas in the last third, as Amakhosi were not committing numbers going forward.
Abafana Bes'thende were building momentum and with ten minutes left of the first stanza, Nqobeko Dlamini eventually had a threatening shot at goal that was smothered by goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma.
Chiefs played on counter-attacks in the closing phase of the first stanza but they were not timing their runs to perfection and settled for a narrow lead at halftime.
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Abafana Bes'thende had a bright start in the second stanza as two minutes in Knox Mutizwa had a chance to equalise with a shot in the box that deflected off Bvuma.
Arrows continued to be on the front foot and on 65 minutes Siyanda Mthanti had a good opportunity after going through on goal but he was denied by Bvuma in a one-on-one.
Amakhosi, who were largely absorbing the pressure, needed spark going forward and with 18 minutes remaining, Johnson brought on the fresh legs of Nkosingiphile Ngcobo in place of Keagan Dolly.
The game was on the edge in the dying minutes as neither side wanted to give away turnovers and the slowing down of the tempo of the match suited Chiefs, who were happy to form a block in front of Arrows' attack.
Nhlanhla Zwane almost snatched the equaliser for the visitors deep in stoppages with a looping shot that sailed over the crossbar, as Amakhosi held on to their first win since the restart.
Here's how they lined up:
Kaizer Chiefs: 44. Bvuma, 23. Hlanti, 25. Msimango, 27. Ngcobo, 4. Kwinika, 8. Maart, 5. Mthethwa, 13. Mmodi, 10. Dolly, 21. Saile, 36. Duba
Subs: 1. Petersen, 19. Mashiane, 17. Castillo, 9. Du Preez, 12. Ngcobo, 18. Solomons, 14. Gonzalez, 26. Fleurs, 28. Vilakazi
Golden Arrows: 36. Mlungwana, 30. Cele, 13. Mwengani, 5. Shitolo, 16. Lukhele, 38. Mthanti, 18. Mutizwa, 14. Van Rooi, 24. Dlamini, 41. Zwane, 19. Sibeko
Subs: 28. Kayode, 39. Cross, 2. Gumbi, 6. Tlolane, 31. Ncube, 20. Libamba, 22. Hlatshwayo, 17. Mhlongo, 11. Sibiya
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