Kaizer Chiefs remain in contention for a CAF Champions League spot after edging ten-man Richards Bay FC 1-0 in a DStv Premiership clash at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Siyabonga Ngezana gave the Glamour Boys the lead on eight minutes with a powerful header in the box after a free-kick delivery by Mduduzi Shabalala.
The home side were reduced to ten men on 19 minutes after goalkeeper Salim Magoola handled a long ball out of the box and was given a straight red card.
⚽️️ Richards Bay 0️⃣-1️⃣ Kaizer Chiefs
90 minutes NatalRichBoyZ pic.twitter.com/5FRwhoEDTM— Richards Bay FC (@RichardsBayFC_) March 4, 2023
Richards Bay were unable to threaten Chiefs’ goal in the first half, as the Glamour Boys pinned the Natal Rich Boyz in and around their box.
Chiefs continued play in front of the low block early in the second stanza without creating clear chances.
Arthur Zwane eventually made a double change just after the hour-mark for a different approach going forward, as Kamohelo Mahlatsi and Sabelo Radebe entered the fray. Mahlatsi should have buried the game with 14 minutes to go after a through ball by Dolly at the near post but he cushioned his shot just over the crossbar.
The visitors had another golden chance to ease the nerves five minutes before time after another defence-splitting chip by Dolly in the box but Wandile Duba guided a free header over the top.
Richards Bay felt that they had a chance to get something out of the game in the dying minutes, but Chiefs managed to just hold on to a narrow win that moved them up to fourth on the log, level on points with Orlando Pirates.
