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With a bit more luck, the Soweto giants might as well have claimed three instead of just one point from their journey to Durban.
A morale-boosting victory is what the Kaizer Chiefs were really looking for on their trip to Durban to play the Golden Arrows in a league game Saturday afternoon.
However, that did not happen as the Glamor Boys tied 2-2 at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium despite being 2-1 up at one point.
But even though the Chiefs have only won two of the seven games in all competitions this span, overall there were some positive signs for Gavin Hunt’s team based on the performance against Arrows. We take a look at the positives and negatives of Amakhosi.
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Forward between goals
Leonardo Castro scored the goals for both Chiefs on Saturday. His only goals so far had come from a double by left-back Yagan Sasman in his first game of the season and an own goal by a Chippa United defender. That said, both of Sasman’s goals came from a corner, as did Castro’s first goal against Arrows. That means they’ve only scored once in open play all season.
Manyama starts to find some rhythm
Lebogang Manyama was the Chiefs’ best player last season, but has struggled in the opening games this season. However, he was much more like his old self in Durban and played in some revealing passes – one should have been scored by Castro in the first half, another was a pre-assist for when Billiat put Castro ahead for his second goal in what it was a lovely move.
Good character
Amakhosi recovered well after conceding first. And even after the Arrows tie, the Soweto giants rallied for a winner, dominating the final 20 minutes of the game while giving it their all for three points.
More organized in defense
Yes, Abafana bes’Thende scored twice, but his first goal was a pretty harsh penalty, and his second goal was more about his own brilliance than any defending mistake by Amakhosi. The Chiefs’ rear guard has been very shaky at times this season, but actually they looked pretty solid for the most part against the Arrows.
Missed opportunities
The Soweto team could actually have been a couple of goals up at halftime, but missed several great opportunities. Castro was the main culprit although he also had bad luck with a header that bounced off the crossbar. However, if the visitors had been more clinical, they could have ended the game.
When the big moments of this season came, too often it seemed to go against them, and while there has certainly been a great element of misfortune, there may also be a lack of composure.
Not too much in the bank
With the Arrows on defense and the Chiefs seeking victory in the final 20 minutes, three points were available. But while the home team’s second goal was fabricated by two substitutes, Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt brought in untested midfielder Darrel Matsheke, as well as defensive-minded Njabulo Blom and Anthony Akumu. .
The only attacker who came in was Bernard Parker, who has been struggling to score goals for a while and there just wasn’t enough firepower to win the match. Samir Nurkovic’s injury and the transfer ban is clearly affecting the Chiefs.
