Kaizer Chiefs bounced back from two consecutive defeats with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Magesi FC in the Betway Premiership at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Ashley Du Preez made an instant impact off the bench, scoring the decisive goal in the 69th minute. The striker’s clinical finish capped off a well-crafted move, sending the Amakhosi faithful into raptures.
The victory takes Chiefs up to 28 points, leaving them in eighth spot in the league table after 20 matches. Despite dominating possession, Chiefs struggled to break down Magesi’s resolute defense, which employed a five-man backline and four-man midfield.
The only notable chance of the first half fell to Ranga Chivaviro, whose powerful shot from 20 yards was expertly tipped wide by Magesi goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze.
Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi made a triple substitution at halftime, introducing Du Preez, Mduduzi Shabalala, and Solomons. The changes injected fresh impetus into Amakhosi’s play, and they eventually broke the deadlock through Du Preez’s strike.
Magesi failed to pose a significant threat to the Chiefs defense, and the hosts saw out the victory without undue alarm. Pule Mmodi spurned a late chance to add gloss to the scoreline, his shot bouncing back off the post.
The win provides a timely boost for Chiefs ahead of their Nedbank Cup tie against Stellenbosch in Gqeberha on Saturday.
