Head coach Cavin Johnson has revealed the reason behind the substitution of midfielder Keagan Dolly during Kaizer Chiefs' defeat to Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby.
Chiefs suffered their sixth defeat in the opening 12 matches of the DStv Premiership as they fell 1-0 to their rivals, The Buccaneers.
A first-half goal from striker Evidence Makgopa was enough to seal a second consecutive league win for Pirates, having defeated Sekhukhune United on Tuesday by the same scoreline.
READ | 'I've played four and won four' - Chiefs' Dolly confident ahead of Soweto derby
One of the major surprises from the Soweto derby was the withdrawal of Dolly during halftime.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Johnson explained why the Amakhosi vice-captain was replaced.
"Keagan (Dolly) is 100% fit but at the same time, he is also still coming back (from an injury)," Johnson said.
"He's fit he is ready to go but then today he got injured. He was hurt. He didn't come off the itch because He was substituted, it was because he got hurt. I think he fell on his ankle badly and we had to take him out.
"But Keagan is okay, he is getting there and hopefully by the end of the FIFA break, he will be at 140%. He is okay.
ALSO READ | Makgopa steers Bucs past Chiefs in Soweto Derby
Kaizer Chiefs are calling on all of Khune's experience ??Which tactical changes would you make to get Amakhosi back into this one? ???? Stream #DStvPrem live: https://t.co/TesYUfo62x pic.twitter.com/HUiLmy2Pv1
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) November 11, 2023
The match was the first time Dolly found himself on the losing side in a Soweto derby, having featured four times and won all four prior to Saturday's defeat.
For Pirates, the victory over Chiefs was a second consecutive triumph across all competitions, having beaten Chiefs 2-1 in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup in May.
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