Richards Bay inflict more pain on hurting Kaizer Chiefs to leave their slim title hopes in tatters

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Richards Bay inflict more pain on hurting Kaizer Chiefs to leave their slim title hopes in tatters
Flavio da Silva challenges for the ball against Richards Bay. Photo - Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs lost a fourth match in a row with their title chances further going up in smoke following a 1-0 loss away to Richards Bay on Tuesday.

Chiefs headed to the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban still nursing the wounds of their Soweto Derby defeat but it was more pain from the Natal Rich Boyz who scored against the run of play through Thulani Gumede in the 69th minute.

As it has become their norm in most of their matches this season, Chiefs had a number of chances which they wasted and were duly punished for it.

Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma made two quick saves in succession with Richards Bay coming close to breaking the deadlock after 22 minutes but Flavio da Silva had a chance to score for them 12 minutes later only to head poorly from a well-floated ball in the box.

Richards Bay punish wasteful Chiefs

As the first half wore on, Aden McCarthy missed Chiefs’ best chance when he could not direct his header on target from a well-taken Gaston Sirino freekick in the 45nd minutes.

In first half stoppage time, Ethan Chislett found Sirino at the back post with a good pass but he also headed out as both teams went to the break goalless.

Ethan Chislett of Kaizer Chiefs playing against Marumo Gallants. Photo – Kaizer Chiefs
Ethan Chislett of Kaizer Chiefs playing against Marumo Gallants. Photo – Kaizer Chiefs

However, upon resumption, Richards Bay decided to use counter attacks to kill off Chiefs and their first real chance on the break yielded the goal.

In the 68th minute, Chiefs went on the attack with Glody Lilepo getting into the box but failing to pull the trigger and he was dispossessed. From that turnover, Richards Bay launched a counter attack which saw Sanele Barns pass to Gumede and he took his time, beating Bvuma and McCarthy before slotting into the net.

More wasted chances from Natal Rich Boyz

Lebohang Maboe of Kaizer Chiefs playing for Kaizer Chiefs against Richards Bay. Photo – Kaizer Chiefs
Lebohang Maboe of Kaizer Chiefs playing for Kaizer Chiefs against Richards Bay. Photo – Kaizer Chiefs

From then, the home side had two other chances to kill off Chiefs but missed. One of those fell to Wandile Ngema who thought he had scored but saw his effort hit the woodwork before Bvuma denied Lindokuhle Zikhali from the rebound.

Defeat leaves Chiefs in fifth position with 30 points, 11 behind Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, with all three now having played 18 games and it looks like their title quest is all but over.

Chiefs finished the game with 10 men after Nkanyisa Shinga, making his debut, was taken off injured when they had utilised all their substitutions.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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