Kaizer Chiefs ended their pre-season with a 1-0 loss to Botswana outfit Township Rollers at the National Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Chiefs featured Brandon Peterson, Njabulo Ngcobo, Siyethemba Sithebe, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Mduduzi Mdantsane, while former Orlando Pirates man Thabo Rakhale was on the bench for Rollers.
The Amakhosi enjoyed much of the possession stakes during the opening stages, but battled to get decisive deliveries as well as entries into the opposition's final third.
However, the momentum turned from a brief opening and saw Kamohelo Mahlatsi get space in the box before rifling a first-time volley over target following a right-sided cross.
Rollers began to show their mantle through a snap shot from a tight angle by Godfrey Tauyatswala which forced Peterson into a smart reflex save soon after the half-hour mark.
Mahlatsi got a big chance to give the Amakhosi the lead in the last three minutes of the half from a low snap shot in the area, but he failed to beat Kabelo Dambe.
The Soweto giants made a double change ahead of the resumption, with Bruce Bvuma on for Peterson and had Yusuf Maart installed too.
Chiefs continued to look for the breakthrough though struggled to get clear openings, as Rollers held an extremely tight line in the defensive third.
The host, who introduced Rakhele and Tshepo Matete, started to fancy their chances and were able to have large portion of the forward impetus.
Rollers made their momentum count with ten minutes to play as Rakhale brought a long pass from the right under control before beating Bvuma with a composed finish.
Although, with full-time looming large the Amakhosi struggled to find clear in-roads up top and Rollers ended up on the winning side.
Confirmed line-ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen, Fosler, Ngcobo, Ditlhokwe, Hlanti, Castillo, Sithebe, Mahlatsi, Ngcobo, Shabalala, Saile.
Subs: Bvuma, Kwinika, Msimango, Solomons, Maart, Potsane, Mashiane, Zwane, Radebe, Mdantsane, Du Preez, Duba
Township Rollers: Dambe, Sepatela, Mathumo, Gaolaolwe, Ratanang, Wetshoemang, Gcumeni, Vissage, Maome, Dintwa, Tauyatswala
You must be Sign In to read and post comments.
Click HERE to register!