Royal AM coach John Maduka was full of praise for his side’s performance during their victory over Kaizer Chiefs at the Chatsworth Stadium in the DStv Premiership on Sunday afternoon.

Thwihli Thwahla completed the double over the Soweto giants in the DStv Premiership following their narrow 1-0 victory over Amakhosi courtesy of a first half penalty by in-form striker Victor Letsaolo.

The win saw Royal move up to second place in the league standings with 26 points from 16 games, while Chiefs have dropped down to fourth place on the table with 25 points from 16 matches.

Maduka credit his sides defensive work rate to keep a clan sheet and move all the way up to second place in the league standings.

“I think we started the game well. It was a very tactical game. Very difficult game. We knew that they would come at us. Defensively we were so organised. If you look at the first half there were moments, they did come at us but we did also go at them and if we were sharp enough, I think we would have got something,” the coach told SuperSport TV after the game.

“But credit to the boys. They never stopped working. They worked so hard. We told them the tactical discipline was very clear and I think they did that on another level today.

“It’s always good especially when you play at home. It’s very important for us to win at home. Going away from home it hasn’t been easy so whenever you are playing at home you’ve got to make sure that you win the game. It was not an easy game. Chiefs have been playing well. Credit to the boys. They gave it their all and we managed to get the points that we needed.

“Solid defence. If you look today our goalkeeper didn’t have to make as many saves as he normally does. Mzwandile, Dlamini, Sam, Mhize, Lingwati were on another level. It’s good to see the boys playing like this and we just hope that we continue working hard and the consistency is very important going forward.”