By Michael Madyira
A Siyabonga Ngezana goal helped Kaizer Chiefs stay in contention for a top-two finish following a 1-0 win over Richards Bay at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.
Ngezana settled the contest early as Amakhosi jumped a rung up to fourth place on the Premier Soccer League table and go level on 34 points with third-placed Orlando Pirates.
It was a follow-up to last weekend’s Soweto Derby victory by Chiefs against Richards Bay who showed guts to stay in the match after playing with a man short for the better part of the afternoon.
For the fourth time in their last five games, Chiefs faced 10-man opponents and that has proved to be a difficult situation for them.
After Richards Bay goalkeeper Jamal Magoola was sent off, Ngezana had already scored and Amakhosi spent 69 minutes desperately defending their slim lead.
They, however, managed to claim victory after recently struggling against TS Galaxy, Maritzburg United and Orlando Pirates who were a man short.
Speedy striker Ashley du Preez was injured against Pirates and Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane started Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana and Christian Saile Basomboli as twin strikers for the first time.
It was a promising set-up upfront but the two forwards could not deliver and it took defender Ngezana whose header off a Mduduzi Shabalala freekick separated the two sides.
A brilliant chance then presented itself for Chiefs in the 17th minute when Basomboli broke loose and came face to face with Magoola who did well to deny him.
Then shortly after, the Natal Rich Boyz went one man down following Magoola’s dismissal for handling the ball outside the box.
The hosts’ co-coaches Pitso Dladla and Vasili Manousakis had to sacrifice midfielder Langelihle Mhlongo as Neil Boshoff was introduced to guard the goal.
Boshoff was to be drawn to his first test or the match in the 33rd minute when he brilliantly saved Bimenyimana’s ferocious shot.
It was a match in which Chiefs keeper Brandon Petersen was never troubled as the hosts were more concerned about limiting the damage.
Within four minutes into the second half, Chiefs had good chances from Basomboli’s headed effort, Keagan Dolly’s shot and Yusuf Maart’s screamer that was excellently saved by Boshoff.
Dolly came close again after being fed by Radebe but his effort was blocked by Ntsikelelo Nyauza as Richards Bay avoided conceding more.
Pictured above: Siyabonga Ngezana heading in Chiefs’ goal vs Richards Bay
Image source: Kaizer Chiefs
