In a game that could have produced a huge score line, Chiefs managed to walk away with a 2-0 victory courtesy of a goals from Sifiso Hlanti and Ashley Du Preez. Chiefs managed to secure their first win of the new year and a first win against the KwaZulu-Natal-based side Royal AM. Coach Arthur Zwane is pleased with the win but admitted that there are areas to rectify.
“We have started the year very sloppy but in terms of today’s performance, it was not bad at all. We were just not scoring goals in the previous games that we have played even though we were creating chances. Today we managed to create lots of chances again but this time we scored two goals and kept a clean sheet. I must give credit to the boys because they fought and gave everything. I am so proud of them, even when we were one man down. But now it’s a worrying factor when you lose two of your right backs, so now we will have to reshuffle the team again, which is a huge worrying factor for me.
“This was not going to be an easy game because we have been a wounded team and we wanted to break that ice as well in many ways. We have never beaten them, we never won a game this year or even scored a goal, So this game for us was to turn things around and it worked for us,” Zwane said post-match.
Royal AM had chances in the first half to beat Chiefs when Levy Mashiane played in a cross in the 25th-minute mark to set up Jeffrey Dlamini, who could not hit the target. Another moment in the first half came from Thabo Matlaba from a set piece, however Mxolisis Macuphu could not convert his chances. Royal AM had 10 shots but only managed 2 shots on target and 6 corners, but Brandon Peterson cleared most of them.
Chiefs on the other hand had moments in the first half as well, with a solo run from Solomons who broke through the Royal defense but could not put it away. Sifiso Hlanti had a chance to score thanks to a pass from Mduduzi Shabalala but the left-back hit his shot over the bar.
Chiefs capitalized on their chances in the second half. A goal in the 60th minute from a set piece header from Sifiso Hlanti thanks to a Keagan Dolly out swinging cross. Chiefs profited again in the 85th minute thanks to a cross from new signing Christian Saile that was met by Ashley Du Preez at the far post.
Chiefs managed 18 goal attempts and 9 shots on target which is something the team can build from going into their next fixtures. This win has boosted Chiefs morale and the Amakhosi faithful will hope this will be a new beginning for the team.
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