Kaizer Chiefs beat Chippa United 1-0 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday evening for their first win of the 2020-21 DStv Premiership season.
An own goal from Gregory Damons proved to be the difference between the two sides in a match dominated by the Glamour Boys.
Chiefs set the early tone of a side eager to bounce back from a heavy loss at the weekend and came close to opening their account in the 24th minute. A free-kick eventually fell to Leonardo Castro but with the goal at his mercy, the Colombian could only succeed in challenging the post from close range.
The Amakhosi continued to knock on the proverbial door and Lebogang Manyama’s powerful free-kick had the beating of Veli Mothwa in the Chilli Boys goal seven minutes later, but not crossbar.
Chiefs hit the woodwork for a third time soon after as Mothwa pushed Khama Billiat’s shot onto the post and away from danger with the teams duly deadlocked at 0-0 at the half-time interval.
The visitors continued to dominate proceedings after the break and were only denied a goal through some exceptional goalkeeping by Mothwa who made a string of eye-catching saves to keep Chiefs from bulging the back of the net.
Chiefs finally broke the deadlock in the 77th minute, albeit via fortunate circumstances as Damons inadvertently deflected the ball across the line.
A low cross from Manyama was scooped onto the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net by the Chilli Boys defender, who was unlucky to put the ball past Mothwa who had done so well to keep out the Chiefs attackers.
Lehlohonolo Seema introduced Bienvenu Eva Nga, who impressed for Gavin Hunt’s Bidvest Wits in the bio-bubble, late on but the Cameroonian failed to impact the encounter as Chiefs claimed all three points on their travels.
Chippa United (0) 0
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Damons og. 77′)
CHIPPA UNITED: Mothwa, Hanamub, Nhlapo, Nsabiyumva, Damons, Mahola, Rae, Maloisane, Dinge (Sekotlong 76′), Mdlinzo (Mokhele 46′), Kwem (Eva Nga 82′).
KAIZER CHIEFS: Akpeyi; Frosler, Cardoso, Ngezana, Zulu, Baccus (Katsande 88′), Blom, Ngcobo (Mphahlele 90+2′), Manyama, Billiat, Castro (Parker 74′). © Backpage TXT
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
