DailySun
Kaizer Chiefs fought hard to secure a 2-1 win in the Betway Premiership against Richards Bay at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday, rising to sixth place in the league standings.
The Chiefs faced off against Bay at one of their alternate venues in Limpopo, marking their return to club play after a three-week international break. Both teams used this time to enhance their performances, as neither had managed a win in their last two league matches.
The match kicked off with vibrant energy as both teams engaged in an enthusiastic battle, although the first ten minutes were somewhat subdued. The Chiefs fielded a new yet relatively stable midfield pairing, with Sibongiseni Mthethwa making his season debut alongside Yusuf Maart.
After 20 minutes of probing, the Amakhosi finally broke the deadlock, courtesy of 20-year-old Wandile Duba. A moment of brilliance from a well-structured short corner allowed the Chiefs to take the lead, as Yusuf Maart delivered a pinpoint pass into the box that found an unmarked Duba, who cleverly evaded the Bay defense to notch his first goal of the season.
This opening goal balanced the game more evenly, as possession shifted between both teams as the first half progressed. Despite gaining the early lead, the game appeared somewhat disorganized, with neither side effectively controlling the flow or maintaining possession.
By the time the clock struck 40 minutes, with the score at 1-0, the ball fluctuated frequently between both ends, as neither team demonstrated fluidity in their attacking movements.
The Chiefs went into halftime holding a narrow lead, while the Natal Rich Boys retreated to the locker room to rethink their strategy.
Just four minutes into the second half, Chiefs right-back Reeve Frosler received a second yellow card and was sent off, leaving the team short-handed early in the half.
In response to the numerical disadvantage, Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi sought to strengthen the defense by substituting Pule Moodi for right-back Dillan Solomons.
A midfield change occurred in the 55th minute, with Thulani Gumede and Siyethemba Sithebe making way for Langelihle Mhlongo and Nkosikhona Ndaba, aimed at revitalizing a struggling Chiefs defense.
Additionally, forward Justice Figuareido was replaced by Simphiwe Mcineka, completing a significant triple substitution.
However, Yanela Mbuthuma managed to leap above the Chiefs’ defense to score, finding the back of the net against Brandon Petersen, who was making his first start in goal for the club, during the additional time allotted by the referee.
Despite this late setback, the Glamour Boys held on to their slim lead, securing three points against a Bay side that struggled to make the most of their numerical advantage throughout much of the second half.
The pressure is now mounting on Bay coach Truter, whose team has only managed to secure one victory in the league this season.
