Chiefs throw away points against Royal AM in Limpopo

Solomons was one of the two changes Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi made from Wednesday’s match – Solomons’ change was a forced one after Reeve Frosler was shown a red card against Bay on Wednesday.

As promised, Nabi restored playmaker Gaston Sirino into the Chiefs starting XI taking the place of Pule Mmodi. Sirino’s combination with Du Preez, Duba and Mududzi Shabalala was the one that gave Royal big problems as they conceded two early goals.

It was only after trailing 2-0 that Royal started to play and could have gone to the break having halved the scoreline if it was not a combination of poor decision making and some good saves made by Chiefs keeper Brandon Petersen.

But Petersen had no answer to Ayabulela Maxwele’s strike in the 51st minute, the young striker beating him with a long range shot after beating Rushwin Dortley. This goal meant Chiefs have failed to keep a clean record in all their seven league matches this season.

Chiefs central defenders Dortley and Given Msimang were both guilty of diving and being beaten by Mashiane on his way to score Royal’s equaliser, one minute before full time. 

But more worrying for Nabi will be how his side collapsed and allowed Royal to dominate them in the second half. Royal skipper Kabelo Mahlasela and Philani Sithole were also guilty of not punishing Chiefs just after the hour mark when they made some mistakes at the back. 

Sithole in particular was a menace for Chiefs on the left flank, the youngster giving Solomons’ replacement Njabulo Blom a big problem whenever he charged forward with the ball. Blom was lucky to have been judged to have fouled Sithole just outside the area in one of those one-one-ones in which the former threatened to give Royal a second goal. 

It was perhaps the wholesome changes that Nabi made after the 65th minute which helped Chiefs to hold on to their lead before Mashiane pounced on a long ball to beat Petersen. Ranga Chivaviro, Mfundo Vilakazi, Samkelo Zwane and Mmodi were all introduced in the second half as Nabi looked to consolidate his team lead. 

But still Nabi will be concerned about his side’s failure to take advantage of their domination in the first minutes of this match only to throw away two valuable points in the dying minutes of the game.