Kaizer Chiefs snapped their losing streak in the DStv Premiership with a 2-0 victory over Royal AM at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday evening.
The Amakhosi came into the match on the back of three straight defeats, but second-half goals from Sifiso Hlanti and Ashley Du Preez put an end to the rot, with the Soweto side now placed fifth on the log with 27 points – just four off the pace of second-placed Richards Bay, with SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates in between.
As for Thwihli Thwahla, this ninth defeat of the season means they have managed just one win in their last seven league matches and find themselves placed 12th, just three points above the relegation playoff zone.
Chiefs suffered an early injury blow, with Dillon Solomons replacing Reeve Frosler at right back, while in the 10th minute they had the first shot in anger, which saw Ashley Du Preez shrug off a challenge on the edge of the box before driving a shot into the arms of Royal goalkeeper Hugo Nyame.
That set the tone for Chiefs’ dominance through the first quarter of the match, culminating in a great chance for Caleb Bimenyimana in which he tried to back-flick a low cross from Solomons, but Nyame was well placed to make a save at his near post.
The hosts’ momentum was broken by a problem with the floodlights which suspended play for 15 minutes. Soon after the restart, Royal missed out on a great chance to take the lead when Mfundo Thikazi was found unmarked by a cross from the left flank, but the forward headed wide from close range.
Both teams then struggled to find their rhythm in the pouring rain, with the half closing at 0-0. Royal boosted their attack at the start of the second stanza with the introduction of Menzi Masuku, but it was Chiefs who nearly broke the deadlock seconds after the action resumed via Keagan Dolly, but his low shot was saved by Nyame.
The teams traded half chances up to the hour mark, when Dolly provided a fine delivery from a free kick on the left flank, picking out Sifiso Hlanti – the defender held off his marker and scored with a downward header to put the Amakhosi ahead.
Chiefs suffered a further injury blow when Solomons appeared to dislocate his shoulder, but they put the game to bed on 85 minutes when debutant Christian Saile provided a fine assist from the right flank for Du Preez, who arrived late in the danger area to sweep home the cross from close range for 2-0.
The teams will return to DStv Premiership action next weekend, with Royal away to Golden Arrows on Saturday 4 February and Chiefs visiting TS Galaxy the following day.
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 2 (Hlanti 60’, Du Preez 85’)
Royal AM 0
Chiefs: Petersen, Frosler (Solomons 8’), Ngezana, Edmilson, Hlanti, Maart, Sithebe, Shabalala (Nange 74’), Dolly (Sekgota 74’), Du Preez, Bimenyimana (Saile 56’)
Royal: Nyame, Dube, Sikakane, Nascimento, Matlaba, Dlamini (Mogaila 72’), Mahlasela (Masuku 46’), Magaqa (Msomi 58’), Mashiane (Potsane 58’), Thikazi, Machupu (Sera 72’)