Kaizer Chiefs (2) 3
(Castillo 15’, Chivaviro 25’, Saile 82’)

Cape Town Spurs (1) 2
(Phewa 43’, Baartman 90')

FNB Stadium, Nasrec

Cavin Johnson tasted victory for the first time as head coach of Kaizer Chiefs as Amakhosi gained three valuable DStv Premiership points with a 3-2 win over Cape Town Spurs at an empty FNB stadium on Wednesday evening.

In an atmosphere eerily reminiscent of the Covid-19 lockdown days, the teams played out an entertaining encounter and more is the pity that thousands of football loving Amakhosi Faithful were denied the opportunity to be there to support the team as the result of a ban imposed by the league due to the unruly behaviour of a small section of hooligans.

Edson Castillo, Ranga Chivaviro and Christian Saile all found the net for Chiefs, with Luvuyo Phewa and Luke Baartman replying for the visitors.

Amakhosi had an early scare in the third minute when Spurs won a free kick just outside their penalty area, but former Glamour Boy Keegan Buchanan missed the target.

From then on it was a procession towards the Spurs goal as Chiefs went on the offensive, putting numerous passes together and making their opponents chase and lose their shape.

Chivaviro found space in the fifth minute, turning and running at the defence before shooting narrowly wide. A few minutes later, Given Msimango almost converted a Nkosingiphile Ngcobo free kick at the far post.

A goal seemed inevitable, and it came on 15 minutes. Msimango found Chivaviro’s run with a long diagonal ball and he slipped in Mdu Shabalala down the right. The teenager’s cross across the face of goal evaded everybody and was picked up on the far side by Yusuf Maart, whose pin-point cross was headed home by Castillo.

Amakhosi continued to keep the pressure on and doubled the lead in the25th minute when Keagan Dolly cut in from the right to set up Ngcobo on the edge of the box. The midfielder’s shot deflected off Luveni Haukong into the path of Chivaviro, who tucked the ball into the net.

The promoted team gained a life-line three minutes before halftime when Jarrod Moroole chipped a ball over the top of the Chiefs defence and Luvuyo Phewa nipped in to steer the ball past Itumeleng Khune.

Ngcobo almost restored the two goal advantage straight away but his delightful curling shot was tipped over at full length by Sam Ramsbottom to keep it out and send the teams into the break with Amakhosi leading 2-1.

Castillo was involved in some early second half action, seeing a shot deflected just wide and then setting up Chivaviro, to suffer the same fate. On the hour mark, Shabalala had a shot pushed away for a corner by Ramsbottom and a few minutes later, substitute Pule Mmodi squared the ball across goal when he might have shot himself, when he broke clear down the left.

Amakhosi received a slice of luck with 15 minutes to play when Spurs substitute, Surprise Ralani, struck the crossbar, but fortunately the ball bounced back into play.

Another Chiefs substitute, Christian Saile seemed to put the game to bed in the 82^nd minute with an expert finish into the far corner from a tight angle.

However, to their credit, Spurs fought on and scored a second in the final minute of normal time, through 17-year-old Luke Baartman to leave an uneasy final five minutes of stoppage time.

Amakhosi comfortably negotiated the added time to run out 3-2 winners and jump to seventh place on the DStv Premiership standings, with Spurs remaining at the foot of the table on three points.

The result gives the Glamour Boys the perfect confidence boost to take into Saturday’s Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates where they will welcome back their adoring fans in what promises to be an epic encounter.

Line-ups:

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune © (32), Dove (2), Ditlhokwe (24), Msimango (25), Frosler (39), Maart (8), Castillo (17) (Zwane (37) 72’), Nk Ngcobo (12) (Mmodi (13) 61’), Shabalala (42) (Mdantsane (3) 61’), Dolly (10) (Matlou (22) 90+1’), Chivaviro (7) (Saile Basomboli (21) 72’)

Subs not used:  Petersen (44); Hlanti (23), Kwinika (4), Nj Ngcobo (27)

Coach: Cavin Johnson

Cape Town Spurs: Ramsbottom (88), Daniels © (4) (Allie (2) 69’), Nel (5), Moroole (6) (Butsaka (33) 45’), Phewa (8), Buchanan (10), Morton (14) (Ralani (9) 55’), Haukungo (15) Bern (34) (90+1), Moosa (22) (Baartman (37) 69’), Dortly (24), Lukhubeni (27)

Subs not used: Dlamini (1), Ryan (11), Mfecane (31)

Coach: Sean Connor