Kaizer Chiefs made it back-to-back wins in the DStv Premiership for the first time this season after defeating Soweto rivals Swallows FC on Wednesday.
DStv Premiership
Result: Swallows FC 1-2 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 05 October 2022
Venue: Dobsonville Stadium
Chiefs made two changes from their draw against AmaZulu, as Keagan Dolly and Reeve Frosler took the places of Siyethemba Sithebe and Dillan Solomons in the line-up.
Amakhosi looked lively in the early stages as Dolly came close to giving them the lead on seven minutes with a low strike across the face of goal that flashed just wide.
The visitors remained on the front foot and Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana had a good chance six minutes later after he beat the offside trap to go clear on goal but opted for a cut-back which was blocked instead of pulling the trigger.
Arthur Zwane's charges continued to open up Swallows as Yusuf Maart had a glorious chances with 23 minutes on the clock after a looped cut-back by Frosler found him unmarked in the box but his volley was deflected over the crossbar.
Swallows had their moments going forward but Bimenyimana eventually broke the deadlock for Amakhosi ten minutes before the halftime break with a towering header at the near post from Kgaogelo Sekgota's cross.
There was enough time for a second goal before the interval, with Dolly doubling the lead with a low curling free-kick that goalkeeper Sanele Tshabalala could only parry into the back of the net.
Musa Nyatama's men were fired up coming from the interval but the Glamour Boys had a big chance 11 minutes into the second stanza after Dolly released Bimenyimana clear on goal, however, the Burundian blazed his shot well wide and high.
Swallows maintained their intensity and they caught Chiefs on a counter-attack on 68 minutes after Waseem Isaacs powered home a header from Tshediso Patjie's cross.
The game opened up after that as Bimenyimana missed a chance to restore the lead for Chiefs with a miscued header at the back post, while Wandisile Letlabika's free header crashed against crossbar.
With the game on the edge, Bimenyimana succumbed to what seemed like a groin strain and Zwane took the opportunity to make a defensive and tactical change, as Cole Alexander replaced the Burundian.
Swallows had the urgency and momentum in the dying minutes while Chiefs absorbed the pressure but the home side were kept at bay, as Amakhosi held on to move up to fifth on the table.
Here's how they lined up:
Swallows: 50. Tshabalala, 32. Lukhubeni, 34. Sait, 5. Letlabika, 43. Zulu, 6. Mthethwa, 47. Wambi, 7. Mtshali, 26. Malinga, 25. Patjie, 3. Isaacs
Subs: 31. Mbanjwa, 33. Khupe, 28. Sasman, 18. Damons, 4. Allan, 39. Matsheke, 12. Makua, 22. Lesako
Kaizer Chiefs: 16. Khune, 39. Frosler, 4. Kwinika, 2. Dove, 23. Hlanti, 45. Blom, 8. Maart, 10. Dolly, 9. Du Preez, 14. Sekgota, 28. Bimenyimana.
Subs: 44. Bvuma, 19. Ngezana, 17. Alexander, 27. Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, 6. Sithebe, 33. Radebe, 18. Solomons, 5. Mahlatsi, 37. Zwane.
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