Kaizer Chiefs got off to a winning start in 2026 when they edged out Lamontville Golden Arrows 1-0 in the Betway Premiership match played at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday night.
Therefore, Amakhosi moved up to the third spot in the league standings - two points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef will be looking to mastermind a second successive Chiefs win when the team faces Zesco United in the CAF Confederation Cup in Zambia on Sunday.
90 + 4’| #KC 1 : 0 #GA
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) January 20, 2026
Full time score: (McCarthy 39’) Kaizer Chiefs 1 : 0 Lamontville Golden Arrows
Betway Man of the Match: Siphesihle Ndlovu#Amakhosi4Life #BetwayPrem #AlwaysHome pic.twitter.com/BfyUTyS8dl
Abafana Bes'thende, on the other hand, resumed their campaign with a defeat which left them in 10th place in the league standings.
Coach Manqoba Mngqithi and his charges will now turn their attention to their next game which is against Stellenbosch FC at home on January 27.
Tlakusani Mbanjwa was the busier of the goalkeepers in the first half as the Abafana Bes'thende shot-stopper produced fine saves to deny eventual Man of the Match Siphesihle Ndlovu and Flavio Da Silva within the opening 30 minutes of the game, before denying Glody Lilepo in the 38th minute.
However, Mbanjwa was finally beaten a minute later when Aden McCarthy turned the ball home from close range from a flicked Maboe header to hand the hosts the lead, albeit with suspicions of offside.
Aden McCarthy gets his first senior goal for Amakhosi ✌️🟡
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 20, 2026
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc #SSDiski | @McDonalds_SA pic.twitter.com/AlWuTcJ2nC
Nevertheless, Chiefs were leading 1-0 at halftime thanks to McCarthy's first-ever goal as a professional player.
Arrows came back as an improved side as they were able to keep possession in Chiefs' half and create a few chances.
Siyanda Mthanti, who has been Abafana Bes'thende' best player this season, was unlucky not to level matters in the 71st minute as his effort hit the upright with keeper Brandon Petersen well-beaten.
However, Amakhosi youngsters Mfundo Vilakazi and Thulani Mabaso, who was making his professional debut, were both keen to make an impact after being introduced.
The duo both had attempts saved by Mbanjwa in the latter stages of the match and ultimately the game ended in a 1-0 in favour of Chiefs.
"The game has become too dynamic." 😡
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 20, 2026
Manqoba Mngqithi shares his thoughts after Arrows' loss at FNB Stadium 🗣️#SSDiski | #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/o7a1cDNw2X
Chiefs (1) 1 (McCarthy 39')
Arrows 0
Chiefs: Petersen, McCarthy, Kwinika, Miguel, Monyane (Solomons 64'), Ndlovu, Maboe (Mabaso 74'), Shabalala (Vilakazi 64'), Mmodi, Lilepo (Baartman 74'), Da Silva (Mayo 75')
Arrows: T. Mbanjwa, Komara, Cisse (Matlaba 86'), Mabaso, Jiyane, Ndlovu (Sithole 86'), Dlamini, S. Cele (Maluleka 63'), T. Khumalo (Nguse 86'), P. Khumalo (Karelse 63'), Maxwele