Kaizer Chiefs’ reserve team achieved a magnificent 2-0 triumph over Orlando Pirates in a pivotal DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) encounter at the Tsakane stadium in Tsakane on Sunday, to move within a point of their eternal rivals in the national U-23 league. 

Making light of the absence of teenage sensation, Neo Bohloko, Young Amakhosi dominated the opening half but were unable to make their advantage count on the scoreboard. 

That changed in the 64th minute when a Xolani Cossa free kick broke the deadlock. Chiefs went in search of a second and it duly arrived in the 77th minute when Njabulo Hlongwane slotted home to secure the three points. 

The result keeps Chiefs solidly in 4th place on the log, with 44 points from 23 games, but they have closed the gap to third-placed Pirates to a single point and are now only four points behind second-placed Stellenbosch FC, with seven rounds of the season remaining. 

“I want to congratulate the boys.” A delighted coach, Vela Khumalo, tells www.kaizerchiefs.com, “Regarding the loss of Bohloko, we look at it as a situation to introduce new players and give them an opportunity, so it’s not like we rely on one player. As Development, we are here help young players to grow. It is not a fluke that Hlongwane scored today. He scored last week and has done well to plug the gap left by Neo. 

Emphasising what it means to taste sweet victory over their eternal rivals, Khumalo quips, “It is always satisfying to beat Orlando Pirates and win a Derby. It give us bragging rights and one can sleep better knowing that we did well against Pirates.” 

With the runner-up spot realistically within their grasp, Khumalo is confident the team is on course for a strong finish to the campaign. 

“Going forward, we have seven games left to give it our best, and let’s see how high we can finish,” he concludes. 

Next up, the Glamour Boys travel away to face Chippa United on Saturday, 30 March, kicking off at 10:00am.

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