Betway Premiership: Chiefs grind out victory with late winner

Kaizer Chiefs returned to Betway Premiership action on Friday with a hard fought 1-0 victory over hosts and fellow top-5 side Durban City at the Chatsworth Stadium.

Durban City, led by veteran tactician Gavin Hunt, were content to concede possession and look to scorch the visitors on the counter-attack. While the strategy appeared to stymie AmaKhosi, it was substitute Flavio Silva who provided an 88th minute winner for the striker’s third goal in four matches since joining from Indonesian club Persebaya.

Chiefs coaching duo Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze have struggled to get the most out of a talented but underperforming attacking unit, and once again they were forced to dig into the bench for solutions on Friday. However, the replacements obliged on this occasion with playmaker Gastón Sirino providing a perfect cross for fellow substitute Silva to produce a powerful snap header past Durban keeper Darren Keet.

For most of the match, AmaKhosi supporters had to suffer through an unconvincing effort from their side that was disrupted well by physical play from the hosts. Keet and his defense were well in control, limiting the visitors to half chances.

The match heated up in the final stretch and Hunt’s celebratory run down the sidelines was halted by the offsides flag after Durban substitute Saziso Magawana turned in a cross while in a clearly offsides position.

And with Sirino adding urgency in the Chiefs attack, it was the Uruguayan who suitably provided the crucial ball a few minutes later for Silva to expertly head home.

After advancing to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage with a strong attacking performance against DR Congo’s AS Simba, grinding out a tough win away from home will be a further boost for Chiefs who move into third place for the time being after the result. They next host Orbit College on Tuesday.