Kaizer Chiefs came out deserved 1-0 victors in a DStv Premiership match against Richards Bay FC at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Amakhosi grabbed three points on the road courtesy of Siyabonga Ngezana’s early goal in the first stanza.
The 25-year-old centre-back rattled the back of the net for the second time in all competitions this season.
Coming to the match, the KZN-based outfit, Richards Bay hadn’t tasted a win in their last six league outings.
They lost four and drew two. Meanwhile, Amakhosi were flying high after seizing the bragging rights over Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby last week.
Richards Bay made three changes from their last match’s line up taking off Khetha Shabalala and Ovella Ochieng for Yanela Mbuthuma and Langelihle Mhlongo.
On the other side, Chiefs made only one change with Caleb-Bonfils Bimenyimana replacing the injured Ashley Du Preez.
SIYABONGA NGEZANA PUT KAIZER CHIEFS IN FRONT
The Glamour Boys demonstrated early signs that they wanted to get in front first and their attempts were rewarded in the 8th minute with Siyabonga Ngezana opening the scoring. The defender headed home after he was located by a well-curled free-kick from Mduduzi Shabalala.
In the 18th minute, the Soweto giants came close to doubling the lead when Christian Saile burst into the box and shot from close range but Salim Magoola made a brilliant save denying the DRC-international striker’s attempt.
A minute later, Magoola was shown a red card after he handled the ball outside the box. Mhlongo, the midfielder, was then sacrificed as Neil Boshoff came on for the Ugandan shot-stopper.
The Natal Rich Boyz struggled to find the rhythm and as much as they could rotate the ball, they weren’t deadly in front of Brandon Peterson’s posts.
Amakhosi continued enjoying the lion’s share of the ball possession and threatened Boschoff’s goals a couple of times. The visitors were 1-0 up during the break.
AMAKHOSI CONTINUED DOMINATING IN THE SECOND HALF
In the second half, Arthur Zwane’s charges picked up where they left off as they were on the front foot and constructive offensively.
Moments later, Richards Bay tried to fight back and a couple of chances they created were denied by the astute defence of Ngenzana and Edmilson Dove.
In the 84th minute, the substitute Wandile Duba missed a glorious chance to score his first goal in the colours of the senior side.
In the latter stages, the contest started to be somewhat much even with Chiefs having lowered their pace. However, Zwane’s troops went on to claim the second victory in a row.
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