Kaizer Chiefs returned to winning ways on Saturday evening after beating SuperSport United 2-1 during their DStv Premiership encounter at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
This is thanks to two goals from Christian Saile and dribbling wizard Mduduzi Shabalala, while SuperSport found the back of the net through Terrence Dzvukamanja from the penalty spot.
Having dropped down to the bottom half of the league standings, Amakhosi were not only desperate to move up the table. They were also keen to register their first win after six games and end their goal drought.
Before this game, they last scored a goal in early March during the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates.
Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson named an unchanged side that lost to Richards Bay last weekend. The game saw Ashley Du Preez, Christian Saile and Shabalala retaining their place in the starting lineup.
For Johnson’s opposite number, Gavin Hunt, he was equally in great need of a positive result. This after going 10 league games without registering a win. The defeat to Amakhosi makes it 11 straight league matches without a win.
Broke the deadlock
The Glamour Boys started the game on the front foot when Saile broke the deadlock in the 19th minute. That was when he fired a bullet that left goalkeeper Washington Arubi with no chance.
SuperSport tried to find an equaliser, as they kept banging on the Chiefs door. But they went into half-time trailing by one goal.
Moments into the second half, Matsatsantsa’s persistence in front of goals was rewarded with a penalty. Sifiso Hlanti handled the ball inside the box.
Substitute Dzvukamanja stepped up and calmly took the spot kick by sending Bruce Bvuma the wrong way.
Johnson reacted and made changes, which saw Reeve Frosler and Mfundo Vilakazi come on for Mmodi and Hlanti.
Much-needed win
In the 76th minute, Amakhosi doubled the lead when Shabalala scored a spectacular volley from outside the box. This after Saile set him up with a lovely cross. The move steered the Soweto outfit to a much-needed win. Particularly ahead of their big clash against Mamelodi Sundowns on Thursday.
For SuperSport and Hunt, it will be back to the drawing board as they are now in danger of losing a top eight spot.
