Kaizer Chiefs resumed their DStv Premiership season with a 2-0 victory over Lamontville Golden Arrows at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Arthur Zwane’s side remained fourth in the league standings having collected 24 points from 14 games.
It was Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana and Edmilson Dove who got on the scoresheet for the visitors.
Both sides came into the match having collected maximum points from their last league outings prior to the FIFA World Cup break.
Arrows had registered an away win against Maritzburg United while Chiefs humbled Orlando Pirates who were fresh from winning the MTN8 trophy.
Arrows nearly opened the scoring within the first five minutes of the game when Nqobeko Dlamini pinpointed Ryan Moon with a curling cross in the box but Itumeleng Khune was on hand to stop his former team-mate’s header.
BIMENYIMANA OPENED THE SCORING
The contest seemed evenly balanced until the 14th minute when Chiefs took the lead courtesy of Caleb Bimenyimana.
It was Keagan Dolly who sent through a defence splitting pass to the Burundi international who turned and rattled the back of the net.
Moments later, Abafana Bes’thende had a penalty appeal when Pule Mmodi was brought down inside the box but their cries fell on the deaf ears of referee Xola Sitela.
The KwaZulu-Natal outfit couldn’t find their rhythm with Amakhosi pressing high whenever the hosts had the ball.
On the half-hour mark, Chiefs came close to doubling the lead but Arrows goalkeeper Sfiso Mlungwana parried Bimenyimana’s effort away.
In the 37th minute, Edmilson Dove scored his first goal in the Gold and Black colours when he tapped in Chiefs’ second goal after Arrows’ poor clearance from a corner kick.
Thereafter, the Soweto giants looked confident on the ball and were dangerous whenever reaching the final third.
The second stanza started with Arrows exerting pressure on Arthur Zwane’s troops but their attacks couldn’t bear fruit.
Moments later, the hosts nearly pulled one back when Knox Mutizwa hit the woodwork.
The home side grew into the game and continued to launch attacks but Chiefs defence remained solid at the back while looking to hurt the opposition with counter attacks.
In the 69th minute, Arrows were awarded a freekick outside the box and Mutizwa swung it into the box but Chiefs cleared it.
Chiefs seemed to be struggling to play out from the back while Arrows were throwing all they could in pursuit of the goal.
Zwane took off Nkosingiphile Ngcobo for Mduduzi Shabalala who came on with some spark on Chiefs’ offensive game.
In the 75th minute, Shabalala came close to finding the third goal for his side when he was denied a one-on-one by Mlungwana after a through pass from Reeve Frosler.
Arrows thereafter lowered their gears and Chiefs went on to claim the maximum points away from home.
RICHARDS BAY THUMP SWALLOWS
In the other match in KZN, the DStv Premiership rookies Richards Bay FC continued their form when they thumped Swallows 1-0 at the King Zwelithini Stadium thanks to Tshepo Mabua’s goal.
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