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The Kaizer Chiefs showed encouraging signs of increased toughness that might have pleased coach Gavin Hunt, even as they had to settle for a 2-2 DStv Premiership draw against Lamontville Golden Arrows at Durban’s Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Saturday.
Arrows winger Siboniso Conco put his team ahead of a penalty in the 49th minute before goals from Leonardo Castro in the 58th and 65th minute for Chiefs. Substitute Nduduzo Sibiya tied for Arrows at 70.
When things are loose and messy, a 3-5-2 formation to pack up the midfield and stabilize the defense, with full-backs lurking up and down to provide numbers on the back and attack, may be the solution to achieve results. so necessary.
Coming off a 5-0 aggregate win over the Orlando Pirates in two MTN8 semifinal matches, which drew a poor 0-0 draw against TS Galaxy, it seemed like a sensible system for Hunt, still looking for his combinations, to use him on the road. against an Arrows. who had started with two draws and a Premiership win.
There seemed to be elements that would have encouraged Hunt as he sought form and stability in a difficult start at his new club.
The Chiefs showed fight and structure, and they kept things simple, creating better chances and crucially, they finally scored their first two goals in the 2020-21 Premiership. The slack in the back will still not please the coach. However, goals can be a more intangible aspect to rectify for coaches than to toughen up a defense.
After some initial relaxation, and opportunities for Michael Gumede and Conco de Arrows, the bosses tensed up, began closing spaces, winning the ball and looking for direct innings.
Castro at the beginning of the season has found positions as easily as the carpentry or the rival goalkeeper. In a patient build, Philani Zulu’s cross was accurate but inches too high for the Colombian, who had to arch his back, and his head butt hit the crossbar.
Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Castro forced nearby stops from Sifiso Mlungwana before the break.
Having finished the first half with promise, the Chiefs had a soft penalty decision against them early in the second. Gumede hit left-back Zolani Nkombelo’s patch with his chest as replays showed Katsande winning the ball, but the Arrows player fell.
Referee Olani Kwinda pointed the spot. Winger Conco stepped forward and glided easily to the left, while Itumeleng Khune dove to the right.
The backhand needed to stimulate an enthusiastic response from the Chiefs. Did.
Billiat’s deflected shot earned him a corner that the Zimbabwean took advantage of ‚Castro got up to finally find his back‚ instead of the frame ‚of the net.
As Arrows could not clear of a delicious preparation by the Chiefs that included the sublime touches of Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Zulu and Lebogang Manyama, Billiat managed to beat Mlungwana, Castro got the last touch on the line.
But Arrows replace Knox Mutizwa and Sibiya combined for the tie, the former backing off and the latter hitting Khune from outside the area.
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