Andriamirado ‘Dax’ Andrianarimanana was handed his first start for Kaizer Chiefs as the Glamour Boys edged Black Leopards 1-0 in their Absa Premiership clash on Wednesday evening.

Coming into the game Giovanni Solinas’ team would have been looking to get back to winning ways in the league after a run of three games without a victory with a draw against Highlands Park and a defeat against Polokwane City was followed up by the 2-1 defeat at the hands of Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby. That defeat left the Amakhosi languishing in seventh spot on the Absa Premiership log

Chiefs, however, would have boosted by their 1-0 victory over SuperSport United in the Telkom Knockout over the weekend and would be eying all three points to climb the league table.

Leopards on the other hand have picked up four points out of a possible nine after a 1-0 victory over Baroka was followed up by a 1-0 loss to Golden Arrows and a 1-1 draw with Free State Stars in their last three games has left them twelfth on the log.

As has become a regularity this season Giovanni Solinas shuffled his deck and handed Andriamirado ‘Dax’ Andrianarimanana his first start for the club.

It was Leopards who got off to the brighter start with Mwape Musonda forcing Itumeleng Khune into a couple saves of early saves.

Chiefs then had the a chance to open the scoring with 15 minutes played but Dumisani Zuma failed to take advantage of the opening.

Solinas’ team were still looking disorganised and vulnerable at the back but managed to take the lead five minutes before the break as as Ramahle Mphahlele’s flick on found Willard Katsande, who made no mistake with his header at the back post.

1-0 to the Glamour Boys at the break.

Chiefs started the second half on the front foot and should of doubled their lead when an unmarked Mario Booysen was picked out in the box, his header, however was straight at King Ndlovu in the leopards goal.

Leopards then went in search of a leveller and Chiefs had Itumeleng Khune to thank for keeping their lead intact as the shot stopper produced a stunning reflex save to deny Mthokozisi Nene from point-blank range after a corner.

The newly promoted team continued to push forward but Chiefs managed to hold on for the victory and claim the vital three points.

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix