To say that the Amakhosi needed a morale booster against Golden Arrows before the big derby against Orlando Pirates would have been an understatement.
Teenager Wandile Duba scored the only goal of the game as Kaizer Chiefs returned to winning ways, beating a confident and dominant Golden Arrows, just in time for the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates this weekend.
The mighty Amakhosi were under pressure after two previous results failed to go their way.
Cavin Johnson’s men were dumped out of the Nedbank Cup by second tier Milford FC two weeks ago, and followed that with a goalless draw against crisis club Moroka Swallows on the weekend.
To say that they needed a morale booster against Golden Arrows before the big derby would have been an understatement.
Full time score: (Duba 11’) Kaizer Chiefs 1 : 0 Golden Arrows#Amakhosi4Life #DStvPrem #Khosified pic.twitter.com/USRUdrw5Eu
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) March 5, 2024
The young Duba put his hand up for a starting place in the derby with a beautiful strike from the edge of the 18-yard area to put his team ahead with just 11 minutes played.
The performance in Tuesday’s win over Abafana Bes’thende wasn’t a pretty one, but the team got what they wanted, which was to pick up maximum points to reignite their challenge for a second-place, and a place in the CAF Champions League.
LET HIM COOK!👨🏾🍳⚽
Wandile Duba netted a stunning goal in his first start for Kaizer Chiefs in their 1-0 win vs Golden Arrows in the #dstvpremiership 🟡⚫️
Wandile found the back of the net after 10 minutes with a beautiful, curling strike from outside the box.
🎥: @SuperSportTV pic.twitter.com/DW92TJpR9T
— Prosport International (@ProsportInt) March 6, 2024
Mabuthi Khenyeza would have been unhappy with the result as his team did enough to at least earn a point. The men from Lamontville had the lion’s share of the possession, and created more chances, but were unable to beat Bruce Bvuma in the Chiefs goal.
The result saw Chiefs draw level on 29 points with rivals Orlando Pirates ahead of the derby.
Elsewhere, a 33rd minute Devin Titus strike saw Stellenbosch FC claim all three points in the iKapa derby against Cape Town City. As a result, Stellies surged up to second in the league, with the Citizens dropping down to third in a congested race for second.
At the King Zwelethini Stadium in Durban, a stoppage time strike by Augustine Mahlonoko earned the Dube Birds a point against AmaZulu.
IOL Sport