Johannesburg – Kaizer Chiefs ended a three-match losing streak in the South African Premiership by defeating Royal AM 2-0 on Sunday.
A glancing header from Sifiso Hlanti off a free-kick gave the Johannesburg club a 60th-minute lead and an Ashley du Preez tap-in five minutes from time sealed their victory.
The win lifted Chiefs up two places to fifth – 25 points behind runaway leaders and defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
The match was the first of three which Chiefs, the most popular club in the country, have agreed to play in the northern city of Polokwane.
They reportedly will receive up to 1.5 million rand ($87,000 euros) and 20 percent of the gate takings for each fixture from a local government eager to boost economic activity.
Winners of a record 54 domestic titles but without a trophy since 2015, Chiefs have also played home matches in the Indian Ocean port city of Durban.
Seven seasons without silverware has seen support for Chiefs in Johannesburg dwindle, apart from high-profile fixtures against fierce rivals Orlando Pirates, and the increasingly popular Sundowns.
Full time score: (Hlanti 60, Du Preez 85’) Kaizer Chiefs 2 : 0 Royal AM
DStv Man Of The Match: S’fiso Hlanti#Amakhosi4Life #DStvPrem #UnitedInAction pic.twitter.com/2dqadV7yD1
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) January 29, 2023
Durban outfit Royal exceeded expectations in their maiden campaign last season, coming third and qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup, the African equivalent of the Europa League.
But Malawian coach John Maduka surprisingly quit before this season began and the loss to Chiefs left them 12th, just three points above the relegation zone.
Elsewhere, an added-time goal from captain Katlego Maphathe salvaged a 1-1 draw for second-placed Richards Bay in a Durban derby against mid-table AmaZulu.
Thabo Qalinge had put the visitors ahead on 33 minutes, with his scuffed shot off a cross trickling past Ugandan goalkeeper Salim Magoola.
Nigerian Etiosa Ighodare claimed his seventh league goal to give Chippa United a 1-0 home win over Maritzburg United in Gqeberha.
Namibian Peter Shalulile of Sundowns leads the Golden Boot race with nine goals and Ighodare, Burundian Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana and South African Bradley Grobler share second place.
After notching just three goals in eight previous home games, TS Galaxy finally discovered their scoring touch to hammer Golden Arrows 4-0 in the northeastern city of Mbombela.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Twitter/@KaizerChiefs
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