Kaizer Chiefs suffered a 1-0 defeat to Township Rollers in their final pre-season encounter on Saturday afternoon.
Club Friendly
Result: Township Rollers 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 29 July 2021
Venue: National Stadium
Edson Castillo and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe were the only new signings to have retained their starting positions from last week's clash in Tanzania, as Kamohelo Mahlatsi, Njabulo Ngcobo and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo were given starts by coach Molefi Ntseki.
Chiefs enjoyed most of the possession in the early stages but only managed to carve out one chance in the opening 15 minutes, with Christian Saile Basomboli forcing Rollers goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe into a good save.
Rollers had a big chance to take the lead in the 32nd minute when Godfrey Tauyatswala was slipped through on goal but goalkeeper Brandon Petersen did well to tip the strike inches wide of the upright.
Chiefs re-took control of the game int he final ten minutes and they should have been ahead on 42 minutes when Sifiso Hlanti sent a superb cross into the box, but Salie was unable to make contact in the six-yard box.
Ntseki made a double change for the visitors at the start of the second half, as goalkeeper Brandon Petersen and Castillo made way for Bruce Bvuma and Yusuf Maart.
The home side made a host of the changes of their own just before the hour mark, which included the introduction of former Orlando Pirates winger Thabo Rakhale and skilfull winger Tshepo Matete.
The changes certainly livened up the tempo, with the crowd at the National Stadium expressing their joy whenever Rakhale got a touch on the ball down the right flank.
The fans would get their reward in the 79th minute when Rakhale opened the scoring for Rollers with a composed finish into the far corner after Chiefs were caught out on the break.
Ntseki's charges pushed to get themselves on level terms in the closing stages but only Wandile Duba went closest with a header that sailed over the crossbar as Rollers held on for the win
Here's how they started:
Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen, Fosler, Ngcobo, Ditlhokwe, Hlanti, Castillo, Sithebe, Mahlatsi, Ngcobo, Shabalala, Saile.
Subs: Bvuma, Kwinika, Msimango, Solomons, Maart, Potsane, Mashiane, Zwane, Radebe, Mdantsane, Du Preez, Duba
Township Rollers: Dambe, Sepatela, Mathumo, Gaolaolwe, Ratanang, Wetshoemang, Gcumeni, Vissage, Maome, Dintwa, Tauyatswala
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
