Kaizer Chiefs were out to consolidate their place in the top six as they hosted Richards Bay at the First National Bank Stadium in the Premier Soccer League on Saturday afternoon.
Cavin Johnson's men continued their resurgence in the South African top-flight as they recorded their third straight league win against Richards Bay with midfielder Nkosingiphile Ngcobo scoring the only goal of the game.
Full time score: (Ngcobo 42’) Kaizer Chiefs 1 : 0 Richards Bay FC
DStv Man of the Match: Nkosingiphile Ngcobo#Amakhosi4Life #DStvPrem #Khosified pic.twitter.com/lnqoFIB4Rz
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) December 23, 2023
Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 Richards Bay: How it happened
Chiefs were on the ascendancy early on as Efmamj Jasond Gonzalez nearly connected with the ball in the area to cause a scare for the visitors in the third minute.
Johnson's side continued to dominate as another chance went begging after Pule Mmodi failed to properly take advantage in the 13th minute.
On the other end of the pitch, Chiefs goalie Bruce Bvuma denied Richards Bay the opener from a decent save in the 20th minute to keep the scores level.
Another chance fell for the host in the 35th minute as Edson Castillo's square pass into the area was intercepted by the alert Richards defense to frustrate Chiefs once more.
However, the opening goal came three minutes before the break as Nkosingiphile Ngcobo put Kaizer Chiefs in front from close range to draw an entertaining first-half to a close.
Kaizer Chiefs efficiently saw out the win in the second half
Kaitano Tembo's side came out with determination to draw themselves back into the game to create some level of panick from Chiefs' backline.
The onslaught from the visitors drew a foul from Spiwe Msimango in the 53rd minute.
With the game looking difficult for the home side, coach Johnson replaced Msimango who's already on a booking, and Gonzalez for Njabulo Ngcobo and Ashley Du Preez respectively in the 67th minute.
On the other side of the technical area, Richards themselves made changes with Justice Figuareido and Katleho Makateng coming on for Similar Ntsundwana and Yanela Mbuthuma in the 68th minute.
With these changes made from both sides, the game became tougher for either team to score as Chiefs were content in holding on to their lead while expertly cutting out every attack from Richards Bay.
As time continued to wind down, further changes were made from both teams but no other goals were scored as AmaKhosi held on to record their third straight league win over Richards Bay, and also a third straight league win this season.
The victory ensures that Chiefs remained in sixth place, ten points behind league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns who have played four games less.
On the other hand, Richards Bay continue to remain in 15th position, deep in the relegation play-off zone, six points above Cape Town Spurs who sit bottom of the table.
Kaizer Chiefs vs Richards Bay confirmed lineups
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma, Frosler, Msimango, Dove, Hlanti, Maart, Castillo, Ngcobo, Basomboli, Gonzalez, Mmodi.
Subs: Petersen, Mashiane, Solomons, N. Ngcobo, Shabalala, Zwane, Du Preez, Chivaviro, Potsane.
Richards Bay: Magoola, Ndaba, Dube, Mcineka, Mabuya, Ntsundwana, Mohomi, Mabaso, Gumede, Barns, Mbuthuma.
Subs: Manqele, Banda, Mthethwa, Ndlovu, Mhlongo, Figuareido, Makateng, Mngomezulu, Mthembu.
This article was most recently revised and updated 12 months ago
