Kaizer Chiefs suffered a home defeat, falling on the wrong side of the 2-1 scoreline against Swallows in the DStv Premiership on Monday afternoon.
Gregory Damons’ early strike and Bongani Sam’s first-half header were enough to grant the Dube Birds maximum points to sidestep the drop zone.
Meanwhile, Christian Saile Basomboli scored the only goal for Amakhosi.
Itumeleng Khune, who had been overlooked for a while lately, returned in goals for Chiefs due to Brandon Peterson’s suspension.
The former Bafana Bafana skipper was unfortunate to concede just six minutes into the game.
GREGORY DAMONS’ OPENER
Amakhosi were caught napping when Damons put Swallows in front, scoring his third goal in all competitions for the Dube Birds. He received a defence-splitting pass from Lindokuhle Mtshali and struck a low drive but Khune saved before the 27-year-old picked up the pieces to hit the empty net.
While the Glamour Boys made several attempts to cancel Damons’ early strike, they were harmless in front of Daniel Akpeyi’s posts.
In the 18th minute, Musa Nyatama’s charges nearly doubled their lead through Kagiso Malinga’s header but Khune was on hand to deny the forward.
CHRISTIAN SAILE EQUALISED FOR KAIZER CHIEFS
Chiefs levelled matters in the 23rd minute when Christian Saile headed home after Mduduzi Shabalala launched the ball into the box from a free-kick spot.
Thereafter, both sides continued to exchange jabs at each other and created a number of goal-scoring chances in the process.
BONGANI SAM RESTORE LEAD FOR THE BIRDS
In the 32nd minute, Swallows restored their lead through Sam’s header after Amakhosi’s defence failed to clear the lines.
In the last five minutes prior to the break, Zwane’s troops had a lion’s share of ball possession but couldn’t dismantle their cross-town rivals’ backline. The match went to the interval with a 2-1 score in favour of the visitors.
In the second half, the home side returned and picked up where they left off, creating more forward movements as they were all about seeking equaliser.
Around the hour mark, Zwane made attack-minded substitutes, bringing on Dillan Solomons and Kgaogelo Sekgota and taking off Saile and Happy Mashiane.
Chiefs were playing more into Swallows’ half while Nyatama’s men parked the bus protecting what they already had in the match.
In the 91st minute, the substitute Samkelo Zwane came close to salvaging a point for Chiefs but Akpeyi repelled the youngster.
The home side’s attacks couldn’t bear fruits as their efforts produced no goals.
RELATED STORY: ‘Kaizer Chiefs is a different team’: Zwane on Du Preez’s form
