Kaizer Chiefs claimed a gutsy 1-0 win over Richards Bay in a DStv Premiership match played at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday night.
Looking to avoid a third defeat in their opening four matches, the Amakhosi were in trouble when they were reduced to 10 men just a third of the way into the clash, but ultimately they put in a determined effort to claim all three points thanks to a second-half penalty from Dillon Solomons – with the result lifting them to eighth place on the log.
As for the Natal Rich Boyz, the defeat was a first in the top flight and leaves them in fourth place on the log – as they missed out on the chance to join AmaZulu on 10 points at the top of the standings.
Chiefs bossed the early possession but managed only half-chances for Keagan Dolly and Siyethemba Sithebe – both of which were struck off target – inside the opening 10 minutes. Shortly thereafter, a well-weighted pass behind Bay’s defence gave Khama Billiat a sight of goal from a tight angle, but his low shot was easily saved by goalkeeper Jamal Salim Magoola.
On 21 minutes, the Soweto side should have claimed the lead when a low corner kick delivery passed through a crowded penalty area to the right foot of Zitha Kwinika, but the defender ballooned a shot over the target.
Chiefs were dealt a major blow on the half-hour mark when midfielder Yusuf Maart, recovering in defence to try and stop a Bay counterattack, deliberately brought down Sanele Barns as the last man and was shown a straight red card – reducing the Amakhosi to 10 men.
With a numerical advantage, the Natal Rich Boyz took control of the game and began building pressure in attack, with a great chance spurned on 42 minutes by Katleho Makateng after goalkeeper Brandon Petersen was almost caught in possession by Barns.
The half ended with the score still locked at 0-0, though momentum was very much on the side of Richards Bay.
The KwaZulu-Natal side made a double change at the start of the second half, shuffling their attack with the introduction of Luvoyo Memela and Yanela Mbuthuma, while Chiefs brought on Njabulo Blom five minutes after the restart.
The hosts almost broke the deadlock on 53 minutes when a great piece of individual play from Dolly carved out a chance for Sithebe, but the dread-locked midfielder saw his effort loop over the crossbar.
On the hour mark, Chiefs earned a penalty when Kgaogelo Sekgota had his ankle accidentally trod on by Sibusiso Mthethwa. Dillon Solomons took the spot kick and struck a low shot into the corner of the net to put the 10-man team in front. It was also the first goal Bay have conceded this season.
The Natal Rich Boyz almost brought themselves on level terms in the 70th minute when Barns arrived late at the far post to meet Memela’s cross from the right, but he was denied by a fine low save from Petersen.
Bay had further threatening moments in the dying minutes, as they pushed desperately for an equaliser, but Chiefs – with a few heart-stopping moments – just about kept their clean sheet intact and secured the victory.
The teams will return to DStv Premiership action in the coming midweek, with Chiefs away to Cape Town City on Tuesday 23 August and Bay at home to SuperSport United the following day.
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Solomons 62’ pen)
Richards Bay 0
Kaizer Chiefs:Petersen, Nj. Ngcobo, Kwinika, Frosler, Solomons, Maart, Nk. Ngcobo (Blom 50’), Sithebe, Sekgota (Mahlatsi 84’), Dolly, Billiat (Ngezana 78’)
Richards Bay:Magoola, Barns (Gumede 75’), Mthethwa, Mabua, Mhlongo (Mdabuka 65’), Mabaso, Zungu, Mathebula (Maphate 75’), Msani, Makateng (Mbuthuma 46’), Gumede (Memela 46’)