Cape Argus E-dition

ROYAL HIDING FOR AMAKHOSI

IT might be early days, but pressure appears to be mounting for coach Stuart Baxter after his Kaizer Chiefs side were hammered 4-1 by new kids on the block Royal AM in a DStv Premiership match at the FNB Stadium yesterday evening.

This was Chiefs’ second successive defeat. A week ago, they were beaten 2-0 by champions Mamelodi Sundowns in Tshwane.

That loss away from home saw some of their supporters complain about Baxter again overlooking Defender of the Season Njabulo Ngcobo.

The Bafana international was handed his debut at home yesterday. But Ngcobo had a debut to forget as he played a role in the first goal they conceded. It is not only Ngcobo who’ll be disappointed with his debut, given the fact that goalkeeper Brandon Petersen also had to collect the ball from his net four times.

It was party time for Royal AM and Victor Letsoalo who bagged a brace. This was Royal AM’s second win in a row after defeating Chippa United. Credit should go to coach John Maduka for his player management.

Following their defeat to Sundowns, Chiefs needed a response and Baxter made two changes, with Petersen and Ngcobo replacing Bruce Bvuma and Austin Dube.

The visitors were first on target. Given Mashikinya's high ball found Letsoalo who chest-trapped well before turning and putting his effort against the upright.

Chiefs responded with Khama Billiat side-footing a low effort past

Hugo Nyame’s far post.

With great interplay in the engine room between Cole Alexander and Phathutshedzo Nange, there were more inroads into Royal AM’s final third. But Chiefs were lacklustre in front of goal with Samir Nurkovic not getting into the right channels.

Against the run of play in the first half Billiat set Alexander free but his effort went wide.

Royal AM found the lead after poor defending from Chiefs. Levy Mashiane sent a curling effort which caught Ngcobo and Eric Mathoho napping. The loose ball found Letsoalo whose diving header sailed past Petersen.

The visitors from KwaZulu-Natal were unfortunate not to head into the interval with a two-goal cushion. On the edge of the penalty, Mashiane laid the ball nicely for Tebogo Potsane but his shot was parried over by Petersen.

Chiefs started the second half with vigour. Keagan Dolly nearly found the equaliser after being put through by Billiat but his shot was saved by Nyame, while Nurkovic’s shot from the rebound was ruled out for offside.

Letsoalo got their second with a free-kick which left Petersen flatfooted. And while Chiefs responded with a Sifiso Hlanti set piece, Sibusiso Mabiliso came off the bench to concede a late own goal for Amakhosi.

Mfundo Thikazi put the final nail in the coffin when the Royal AM striking contingent caught Chiefs’ defence at sixes and sevens when they pushed numbers forward for a corner kick.

Chiefs’ display left a lot to be desired while Royal AM were the happier with their boss Shauwn Mkhize dancing up a storm on the stands.

Meanwhile, at Athlone Stadium, Stellenbosch FC thrashed Cape Town City 3-0 in a one-sided Cape derby. Judas Moseamedi netted twice with the other goal coming from Alan Robertson.

SPORT

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2021-09-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

http://capeargus.pressreader.com/article/281788517196229

African News Agency