After recent setbacks, Kaizer Chiefs returned to winning ways with a narrow 1-0 victory over Magesi FC in their Tuesday night Betway Premiership encounter at FNB Stadium.
This was after they lost two league games on the trot at the hands of two Tshwane giants SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Ashley Du Preez scored the only goal of the match, keeping maximum points at home for the Soweto giants.
Chiefs came with four changes from the starting line-up that played Mamelodi Sundowns in the past weekend.
Given Msimango, Njabulo Blom, Mfundo Vilakazi and Ranga Chivaviro replaced Rushwin Dortley, Thabo Cele, Mduduzi Shabalala and Tashreeq Morris.
From the first whistle, Amakhosi asserted their control, enjoying the lion’s share of possession and dictating the tempo in the early exchanges.
However, despite their dominance, they couldn’t carve out clear-cut opportunities in front of goal. Meanwhile, Magesi showed no desire to build from the back and instead were content to remain compact defensively.
As the home side relentlessly looked for an opening goal, Elvis Chipezeze was finally called into action when Chivaviro unleashed a vicious strike from distance, hoping to ignite the scoreboard. However, the Zimbabwean goalkeeper reacted sharply, deflecting the ball away.
Moments later, Magesi threatened to snatch a goal against the run of play when Tshepo Kakora and Gift Motupa surged forward on a two-on-one break against Reeve Frosler. However, the Chiefs right-back demonstrated excellent defensive awareness, intercepting the crucial pass.
Later in the first half, Dikwena tša Meetse’s play improved as they settled into the game, finding their rhythm and developing their passing combinations.
The teams went into half-time with the score level at 0-0.
ATTACK-MINDED CHANGES FROM NABI AFTER THE BREAK
Nasreddine Nabi made immediate attack-minded changes at the beginning of the first half. He brought on Shabalala, Dillan Solomons and George Matlou, who replaced Vilakazi, Frosler and Blom.
Bruce Bvuma made a save in the 49th minute, denying Motupa, who was trying to catch him at the near post.
Nabi’s three changes seemed to inject fresh energy into Chiefs’ attack, making them appear more vibrant going forward.
Moments later, Magesi almost capitalised on a counter-attack when Kakora burst forward after winning possession but was unlucky to see his shot denied by the post.
Just two minutes after replacing Chivaviro in the 67th minute, Ashley Du Preez broke the deadlock and put the home side ahead in the 69th minute.
The Phefeni Glamour Boys pressed for a second goal, launching more attacks, but couldn’t find breakthrough anymore. Mmodi was unfortunate to hit the post in the 92nd minute after bursting into the box.
Despite this triumph, Chiefs remain eighth in the league standings with 28 points after 20 matches, while Magesi are 15th with 17 points after 21 games.
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