Ten-man Kaizer Chiefs returned to winning ways following a 2-1 victory over Richards Bay at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday.
Much has been said about coach Nasreddine Nabi’s changes and an injection of fresh blood into the team but it was the old guard who masterminded the win over the Natal Rich Boyz.
Captain Yusuf Maart led from the front with two brilliant assists and should have capped off his impressive performance with a goal as Wandile Duba and Ashley Du Preez finished off the chances.
Chiefs opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Maart’s ball over the Richards Bay defence was met by Duba, the youngster connecting well to score past Ian Otieno in goal, as the Glamour Boys got the goal they deserved.
Chiefs wasted chances to double the lead
Shortly after, Chiefs should have been celebrating a third one when Reeve Frosler brought in a delicious cross but Given Msimango headed just out when he should have scored from a free header.
Another opportunity fell to Brandley Cross, the full-back found by Duba, but missed as they went into the break leading 1-0.
The return from halftime turned sour for Chiefs when Frosler was sent off in the 46th minute for a second bookable offence and Nabi reacted by taking off Pule Mmodi for Dillan Solomons.
Richards Bay’s best chance fell to Tshepo Mabua via a set piece as his freekick flew just over the bar after 60 minutes and seven minutes later, Chiefs were celebrating their second goal.
How did Du Preez open his goal account?
Maart won the ball in midfield, made a little run, before finding Du Preez with a beautiful pass between the centre-backs and the attacker made no mistakes to score his first goal of the season on his first start this term.
Du Preez and Maart nearly combined for a third one in the 79th minute, the former making a good run on the break before feeding the latter, who could only find the side netting with the keeper to beat.
Chiefs held onto their two goals and looked like they were headed for their first clean sheet of the season but Richards Bay pulled one back when Yanela Mbuthuma rose highest to head home a cross but it was not enough for Brandon Truter’s men who fell to a third straight league defeat.
Victory ends Chiefs’ run of three games without a win and takes them to sixth on the table on 10 points, 11 behind leaders Orlando Pirates, while Richards Bay are 14th with just five points from eight games.
