Kaizer Chiefs picked up their first victory of 2023 when they beat Royal AM 2-0, as they hosted their DStv Premiership fixture at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday evening.
Arthur Zwane had made four changes to the Chiefs line-up, but it could’ve been technically counted as five as minutes into the game, an injured Reeve Frosler had to be replaced by Dillan Solomons.
Ashley Du Preez hoped to give the Amakhosi an early goal, but Hugo Nyame saved his tenth-minute attempt, as the former Stellenbosch shot straight at the Cameroonian.
Nyame was called into action again in the 15th minute acrobatically saving a shot from Siyethemba Sithebe. Caleb Bimenyimana’s cheeky attempt five minutes later was also denied by the Royal AM goalkeeper.
Halfway through the first half, the game was halted for 15 minutes after a floodlight failure, with rain and lightning causing the problems. With the lights sorted, the match resumed and heavy rain began to fall on the Peter Mokaba pitch. Royal AM had a good chance in the 28th minute but Mfundo Thikazi couldn’t find the target with his unmarked header.
At half-time, it remained goalless, with Chiefs just edging the stats, and getting four shots on target while Royal AM registered none, with Royal AM’s attempts not threatening the goals of Brandon Petersen, who had come into the starting eleven to replace Itumeleng Khune.
Keagan Dolly broke free down the right in the opening minute of the second half, but his final attempt lacked power and Nyame gathered comfortably. Five minutes later Solomons shot wide.
Chiefs introduced their new signing Christian Saile Basomboli in the 55th minute, who came on for Bimenyimana.
Finally, on the hour mark, Chiefs were ahead, as S’fiso Hlanti headed in Dolly’s free-kick to make it 1-0.
The goal, and the vocal support at the stadium buoyed Chiefs on and they pushed hard to extend their lead. Saile made an impressive run in the 81st minute, showing a good burst of pace, but his final shot lacked power and Nyame was able to pick it up easily.
But it was 2-0 in the 85th minute, and it was the new man Saile with the assist, delivering in an excellent ball for Du Preez to nod home for his third goal of the season.
A good victory for Zwane and his team who move up to fifth with 27 points, while Royal AM are 12th after this result, with 21 points.
