Kaizer Chiefs returned to winning ways in the DStv Premiership cruising to a comfortable 3-1 victory over Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Stuart Baxter made five changes to his side who lost to Golden Arrows a fortnight ago as Brandon Pietersen, Siyabonga Ngezana, Austin Dube, Ramahlwe Mphalehlele and Kearyn Baccus came in to replace Bruce Bvuma, Eric Mathoho, Daniel Cardoso, Njabulo Ngcobo and Keagan Dolly.
Chiefs got off to a bright start and had a chance to break the deadlock in the first minute, but Khama Billait saw his shot at goal blocked by the Chilli Boys defence.
Chippa nearly took the lead nine minutes later after Bienvenu Eva Nga’s slight touch on the ball rebounded off the upright and back into play.
Samir Nurkovic should have handed his side the lead after 16 minutes of play, but the Chiefs striker fired his effort wide of goal with Kazapua well beaten before Nurkovic forced another save out of the Chippa keeper three minutes later.
Amakhosi eventually took the lead in the 23rd minute when Nurkovic found the back of the net after he connected with a square pass from Billiat to make it 1-0.
Nurkovic thought he had doubled Chiefs’ lead in the 33rd minute when he found the back of the net, but the assistant referee raised his flag for an infringement on the goalkeeper.
Pietersen came to his side’s rescue in the 38th minute when he came off his line to collect the ball before Roscoe Pietersen could connect properly with it.
Siphelele Luthuli had a chance to draw the game level in the 43rd minute, but the midfielder fired his effort high and wide of target going into the half-time break.
The Chilli Boys came out guns blazing in the second half and took the lead a minute in when Bienvenu beat the offside trap to slot the ball past Petersen to find the net.
Nurkovic had a chance to restore his side’s lead in the 50th minute, but the Serbian striker saw his effort saved by the Chippa goalkeeper after he was played through on goal.
Petersen came to his side’s rescue just after the hour mark when he came off his line to make a clearance and clear the ball away from danger.
Baxter made a double substitution in the 70th minute as Cole Alexander and Keagan Dolly replaced Nange and Parker, respectively.
Amakhosi managed to restore their lead in the 75th minute when substitute Dolly beat the Chippa goalkeeper to curl his free kick into the top corner to make it 2-1.
The Soweto giants made their third substitution with seven minutes left to play as Daniel Cardoso came in to replace Frosler in defence.
Chiefs managed to put the game to bed in the 87th minute when substitute Alexander latched on to a cross from Blom to slot the ball past the Chippa keeper, Amakhosi holding on for the win and all three points at Chippa.
