Kaizer Chiefs lost their fifth game of the Betway Premiership season after a going down 1-0 against Golden Arrows on Sunday afternoon.
Betway Premiership
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 Golden Arrows
Date: 12 January 2025
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Chiefs made two changes from their win over Stellenbosch in a very attacking line-up, as Tebogo Potsane and Mfundo Vilakazi took the places of Rushwin Dortley and Ashley Du Preez.
Amakhosi started brightly as Potsane had a chance to give them an early from a cut-back by Mduduzi Shabalala but he skied his shot over the crossbar.
Nasreddine Nabi's charges, however, could not maintain their attacking rhythm, as Arrows grew in the game.
Abafana Bes'thende opened themselves up after the half-hour mark with a high line and had to thank Nduduzo Sibiya, who blocked Shabalala, who rounded goalkeeper Ismail Watenga, from scoring into an open net.
Shabalala had another glorious chance for Chiefs a moment later with a looping shot in the box that missed the top corner by a whisker.
After missing a number of clear opportunities, Nabi's men were almost punished on the stroke of half-time from a well taken free-kick on the edge of the box by Sbonelo Cele, that brushed the top of the crossbar.
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Chiefs needed more bite and directness upfront from the break, as Ranga Chivaviro replaced Potsane while Reeve Frosler replaced Njabulo Blom at right-back.
Chivaviro had a big a chance to break the deadlock for Amakhosi from his first touch after going through on goal but he guided his shot wide, one-on-one with Watenga.
Arrows eventually made The Glamour Boys to pay the price a moment later after Gladwin Shitolo broke the deadlock with a strike from a rebound, lurking unmarked on the far side.
Chiefs were unfortunate not to go level with Abafana Bes'thende around the hour-mark after Reeve Frosler latched into a cross unmarked in the box but his first-time shot came off the post.
Arrows defended in numbers in the closing stages as Amakhosi struggled to combine but only came to life in the dying minutes.
Wandile Duba almost equalised for the Soweto giants in added time with a curling shot that missed wide and Abafana Bes'thende held on to maximum points.
Here's how they lined up:
Kaizer Chiefs: 44. Bvuma, 48. Cross, 6. Blom, 84. Miguel, 24. Ditlhokwe, 5. Mthethwa, 8. Maart, 11. Potsane, 28. Vilakazi, 42. Shabalala, 36. Duba
Subs: 1. Petersen, 25. Msimango, 39. Frosler, 19. Mashiane, 22. Matlou, 37. Zwane, 13. Mmodi, 12. Ngcobo, 7. Chivaviro
Golden Arrows: 1. Watenga, 5. Shitolo, 33. Phillips, 30. S.Cele, 23. Dube, 14. Van Rooi, 35. Mantshiyane, 12. Ndwandwe, 11. Sibiya, 38. Mthanti, 9. Moon
Subs: 34. Maova, 42. Theron, 16. Lukhele, 24. Dlamini, 31. Ncube, 44. B.Cele, 6. Tlolane, 7. Malinga, 41. Zwane.
