Kaizer Chiefs' inconsistent form in the DStv Premiership continued after going down 3-2 to Golden Arrows on Sunday.
DStv Premiership
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 2-3 Golden Arrows
Date: 19 February 2023
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Chiefs made only one enforced change to the side that beat Maritzburg United in the Nedbank Cup, as Edmilson Dove missed out due to flu and his place was taken by Thabani Dube, who got his first start of the season.
Amakhosi were combining well going forward in the opening exchanges but they went ahead on eight minutes from a set-piece after Sifiso Hlanti glanced home a header at the near post from a corner by Keagan Dolly.
Arthur Zwane's charges had their tails up and Hlanti returned the favour to Dolly eight minutes later with a through ball over the top and the former Mamelodi Sundowns forward lifted a volley over Mbatha but his effort came off the crossbar with the net gaping.
However, the rhythm of the game was interrupted after the half-hour mark, with a couple of stoppages and Arrows used the break in momentum to put Chiefs under pressure, as Ntsako Makhubela levelled matters on the stroke of haltime with a close-range strike after a scramble in the box.
Amakhosi had an almost immediate response from the break, as Mduduzi Shabalala restored their lead within two minutes after he lashed home a confident left-footed shot in the box against the run of play.
The Glamour Boys continued to have good chances on transitions but they could not capitalize and Zwane made a double change on 68 minutes, firstly a tactical one to shore up the midfield as Shabalala made way for Phathutshedzo Nange and Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana replaced Christian Saile Basomboli for fresh legs up top.
However, Chiefs were caught disorganised at the back a couple of minutes later after Knox Mutizwa levelled matters for Arrows with a powerful strike after he was left unmarked at the back post.
Abafana Bes'thende remained on the ascendancy and Mutizwa gave them the lead 12 minutes before time and completed his brace with a low pile-drive just in the box after a slaloming run by Makhubela opened up Amakhosi's defence.
Zwane's men looked to get back into the game as they pressurized Arrows in the dying minutes but the visitors were compact at the back and held on to a famous win.
Kaizer Chiefs: 1. Peterson, 20. Ngezana, 4. Kwinika, 13. Hlanti, 29. Dube, 6. Sithebe, 8. Maart, 42. Shabalala, 10. Dolly, 9. Du Preez, 21. Saile
Subs: 32. Khune, 24. Nange, 27. Ngcobo, 38. Bimenyimana, 22. Matlou, 19. Mashiane, 14. Sekgota, 36. Zwane, 39. Duba
Golden Arrows: 16. Mbatha, 35. Mantshiyane, 22. Hlatshwayo, 3. Lunga, 37. Ndlovu, 23. Dube, 8. Makhubela, 12. Ndwandwe, 11. Sibiya, 13. Mmodi, 18. Mutizwa
Subs: 32. Gumede, 30. Cele, 29. Mjengu, 7. Fikizolo, 2. Gumbi, 4. Khumalo, 7. Magawana, 26. Magubane, 9. Moon
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