“Performance wise I am not happy,” coach Steve Komphela reflected after Kaizer Chiefs’ 3-2 win over Maritzburg United on Saturday evening, “but we grind it out. We got the three points.”

Amakhosi went 2-0 up against the Team of Choice at the FNB Stadium, before allowing the visitors to come back to two all. However, it was Man of the Match Lorenzo Gordinho’s headed goal in extra time that ensured that three points were collected.

“We made it too easy for Maritzburg to come back into the game,” Komphela lamented, “we conceded twice from a set-piece. That shouldn’t have happened.”

On the other hand, the Chiefs coach was pleased about the back-to-back wins, as Golden Arrows was beaten 2-0 on Tuesday.

Siyanda Xulu and Lucky Baloyi replaced the suspended Erick Mathoho and Reneilwe Letsholonyane.

“They did well,” said Komphela about Xulu and Baloyi, “although they both lacked match fitness and struggled somewhat to find the rhythm of the game.”

Xulu had to be stretchered off in the second half due to a concussion and pain in the neck. The defender stayed the night in hospital for observation, but he was released on Sunday.

After Xulu left the field – he was replaced by Bernard Parker – Willard Katsande took over the role of central defender, with Komphela opting for an all-out attack to go for a win. The coach’s risk was rewarded.

The other two goals were scored by Katsande (from the penalty spot) and Cameldine Abraw (header), who scored his third in 2016 (six games played). Overall, the Togolese striker is now on four league goals (six in total).

The Zimbabwean midfielder has netted four league goals this season, with three of them coming from the penalty spot.

George Lebese is the Chiefs player with the most goals so far this season. He has found the back of the net five times in league games.

The winger had to be replaced just before the break, complaining about a reoccurrence of his groin problem, which recently led to Lebese missing two fixtures.

Chiefs continue to be in fourth position on the Absa Premiership log with 32 points from 18 games. That’s four less than second-placed Bidvest Wits, who will be Amakhosi’s next opponent on Tuesday evening, 9 February. This fixture will be held at the Bidvest Stadium.

“We are both chasing log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns,” Komphela looks ahead to the Wits match. “We both want the three points badly. It will be an interesting game.”

Amakhosi’s next game at home will be against SuperSport United in the Cape of Love & Peace. This Absa Premiership fixture will be played at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening, 20 February (kick-off is at 20:15).