Kaizer Chiefs registered a third straight victory in the DStv Premiership with a 1-0 victory over Richards Bay FC on Saturday afternoon.
South American duo Edson Castillo and Jasond Gonzalez returned from the Chiefs team that edged Polokwane City, replacing Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Ranga Chivaviro respectively.
Chiefs were under a brief spell of pressure past the midway point and needed a sharp save from Bruce Bvuma to meet a well-struck first-time shot from Sanele Barns.
The Amakhosi battled to get momentum where the passes through the middle, in the build-up phases and to the wide areas didn't penetrate the visitors.
However, Chiefs came to life a little to halftime and had the breakthrough when Nkosingiphile Ngocbo made a galloping run from the midfield towards the penalty area and lashed in the bottom-corner.
The Natal Rich Boys made a change after the break, with Lucky Mohomi removed and Langelihle Mhlongo introduced in his place.
It was pretty tense at the resumption which led to a numerous losses of possession, mis-placed passes and tight challenges all round the field of play.
The battle on all fronts from the respective teams carried on throughout the earlier stages of the second period, with clear openings reduced to a premium.
Interim Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson issued the returning Ashley Du Preez a run out in place of Gonzalez and sacrificed Given Msimango for Njabulo Ngcobo.
Barns came close to salvage a point for the travelling contingent with a snap shot from a tight angle, but Bvuma made a block and aided the Amakhosi maximum points.
Confirmed line-ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma, Frosler, Hlanti, Dove, Msimango, Maart, Castillo, Ngcobo, Mmodi, Saile, Gonzalez
Subs: Petersen, Ngcobo, Solomons, Zwane, Potsane, Mashiane, Shabalala, Chivaviro, Du Preez
Richards Bay: Magoola, Mabuya, Ndaba, Dube, Mcineka, Mabaso, Ntsundwana, Mohomi, Mbuthuma, Barns, Gumede
Subs: Manqele, Mthethwa, Ndlovu, Makateng, Figareido, Mngomezulu, Mthembu, Mhlongo, Banda.
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