Kaizer Chiefs returned to winning ways in the DStv Premiership this week following their hard-fought 3-2 victory over a spirited Cape Town Spurs outfit at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday night.
As the Glamour Boys look ahead to the upcoming Soweto Derby, goals by Edson Castillo, Ranga Chivaviro and Christian Saile were enough for Chiefs to secure a home victory.
No fans, no problem for Amakhosi 💪
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 8, 2023
Kaizer Chiefs return to winning ways with a hard-fought victory over Cape Town Spurs ✅#DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/7Y3jEdRc1Y
With the referee getting proceedings under way at an empty FNB Stadium, Amakhosi settled on the ball early on and edged the Urban Warriors to the possession count during the first five minutes of the game.
Chiefs took advantage of their early possession and broke the deadlock in the 15th minute of the encounter.
With the Urban Warriors defence split open with a long ball into the area, Keagan Dolly collected the ball on the left-hand flank before whipping in a cross that was met by Edson Castillo who headed home with ease.
Amakhosi doubled their advantage 10 minutes later as Ranga Chivaviro joined Castillo on the scoresheet.
With Spurs struggling to cope with the direct ball over the top, Dolly left Rushwin Dortley stumbling after taking the ball in his stride as he made his way toward the 18-yard-area.
In latching onto a ball inside the area, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo’s ricocheted shot fell at Chivaviro’s feet, as the striker slotted the ball away from close range.
Spurs drew one back moments before the half-time whistle as Jarrod Moroole and Luvuyo Phewa linked up with aplomb going forward.
With Moroole playing a lobbed effort into the box, Phewa’s left-footed shot beat Itumeleng Khune at his near post.
The Soweto giants asserted themselves on the ball soon after the restart and created a couple of goal scoring opportunities five minutes into the second half.
However, the Urban Warriors did not hold back and looked to progress the ball up field at every opportunity.
Spurs grew in confidence after the hour mark and took the game to the home team on numerous occasions, however, the Glamour Boys looked solid in defensive settings.
Second-half substitute Surprise Ralani came agonisingly close to scoring an equalising goal, with his snap shot effort in the 75th minute hitting the crossbar.
Chiefs increased their lead in the 82nd minute as second-half substitute Christian Saile capped off a well-constructed passing move on the edge of the Spurs box.
After a period of sharp interplay, Dolly played Christian Saile through on goal as the Congolese forward rifled the ball across the goal.
In setting up a nervy end to the game for Chiefs, Luke Baartman got his name on the scoresheet in the 90th minute with a venomous shot inside the Amakhosi box, after a swift attacking move down the left wing.
Nevertheless Chiefs held on to secure a 3-1 win on home soil.
Three points in the bag, but the work is far from over💪
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 8, 2023
Coach Cavin Johnson takes the victory but admits the journey ahead is long for Kaizer Chiefs 📈 pic.twitter.com/BfcF4hC6uP
Kaizer Chiefs: (2) 3 (Castillo 15’, Chivaviro 25’ Saile 82’)
Cape Town Spurs: (1) 2 (Phewa 42’, Baartman 90’
Kaizer Chiefs: Khune, Edmilson, Ditlhokwe, Msimango, Frosler, Castillo (Zwane 72’), Maart, Ngcobo (Mmodi 61’), Shabalala (Mdantsane 61’), Chivaviro (Saile 72’) , Dolly (Matlou 92’)
Cape Town Spurs: Ramsbottom, Dortley, Haukongo (Bern 78’), Daniels (Allie 69’), Lukhubeni, Morton (Ralani 55’), Buchanan, Nel, Moroole (Butsaka 45’), Moosa (Baartman 69’), Phewa