By Micheal Madyira
Kaizer Chiefs sank deeper in their Premier Soccer League campaign after they were stunned 1-0 by relegation-haunted Richards Bay at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.
The hosts’ captain Simphiwe Mncineka struck on 64 minutes to help his side go eight points clear of basement side Cape Town Spurs.
It was a weekend which began with Chiefs in position eight on the table but they slid down to 10th and now risk finishing the season outside the top eight for the third time in their history.
To highlight the crisis, Chiefs have not won in their last five league games, a run that includes three straight defeats and they have not scored in their last four outings.
Chiefs defender Sifiso Hlanti was back from injury to start for Chiefs while Dillan Solomons was trusted at right-back for the second successive match.
Richards Bay coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi surprisingly started centre-back Thabani Dube from the bench.
It started as a promising afternoon for Cavin Johnson’s men when Mduduzi Shabalala was released by Edmilson Dove in the 14th minute but the hosts’ goalkeeper Salim Magoola denied him face-to-face.
The Uganda custodian was back again, this time to save a Christian Saile Basomboli curler on 27 minutes.
Ashley Du Preez also came face-to-face with Magoola towards halftime but was let down by his poor finishing.
Interestingly, the home side had no single shot on target at halftime while Chiefs had made four.
The Natal Rich Boyz came close for the first time just after the hour mark when Khuda Muyaba side-netted.
That move seemed to have been the hosts’ way of warming up Chiefs’ goal area because shortly afterwards, Mcineka’s glancing header at the near post beat Bruce Bvuma to hand Richards Bay the lead.
Amakhosi almost hit back immediately after that but Du Preez’s effort crashed against the woodwork.
It nearly got worse for the Soweto giants when defender Given Msimango almost beat his goalkeeper Bvuma in an attempt to clear a Muyaba low cross.
Lady Luck seemed to have deserted Chiefs, who watched Richards Bay defender Sibusiso Mthethwa making a goal line clearance off a Solomons effort right at the death.
Pictured above: Kaizer Chiefs defender Given Msimango tries to defend as Boikanyo Komane prepares to head in the ball.
Image source: Kaizer Chiefs
