Kaizer Chiefs claimed back-to-back DStv Premiership wins for the first time this season when they defeated Soweto derby rivals Swallows FC 2-1 at the Dobsonville Stadium on Wednesday evening.
First-half goals from Caleb Bimenyimana and Keagan Dolly secured a first away victory for the Amakhosi, though they had to weather a spirited second-half fightback from the Birds, who halved the deficit via Waseem Isaacs but couldn’t quite force a share of the spoils.
The result lifts Chiefs to fifth place on the log on 14 points – level with SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates in the two spots directly above them, and five points off the pace of leaders Mamelodi Sundowns – while Swallows stay bottom of the log on eight points.
Chiefs enjoyed early dominance and created half-chances for the likes of Kgaogela Sekgota, Keagan Dolly and Caleb Bimenyimana, though none was able to trouble Swallows goalkeeper Sanele Tshabalala.
The hosts had the occasional threat, mainly on the counter attack, from Waseem Isaacs and Kagiso Malinga, but they also were unable to test out Itumeleng Khune between the posts.
The Amakhosi then claimed the lead on 35 minutes via Bimenyimana, with the lanky Burundian showing off his aerial power, as he got on the end of Sekgota’s cross from the left byline and directed a fine header beyond the reach of the ‘keeper for 1-0.
Swallows looked for a quick response and almost caught Chiefs napping on 41 minutes with a long ball move that ended with Malinga having a snap shot from outside the penalty area, but the effort flashed just wide of the target.
Chiefs doubled their advantage on the stroke of halftime, with Dolly scoring with a fine shot direct from a free kick – though the Birds would have been disappointed at both their defensive wall and goalkeeper Tshabalala for not keeping the effort out.
Swallows opted for an attacking change early in the second half, sending on exciting youngster Thato Makua in place of Malinga, yet it was Chiefs who had the first clear chance seven minutes after the restart, with Zitha Kwinika directing an effort over the crossbar from close range after getting on the end of another fine set piece delivery from Dolly.
The Birds then began to have some joy with deliveries from the flanks – both from set pieces and open play – which troubled the visitors’ defence.
Swallows pulled a goal back in exactly that fashion on 68 minutes, with Tshidiso Patjie providing a perfectly-weighted cross from the right to pick out Isaacs, who scored with a brave diving header to make it 2-1.
Three minutes later the home side almost levelled the game via Wandisile Letlabika, who got on the end of a flick-on at a corner kick but saw his header rattle the crossbar.
That proved to be the last major chance at either end, with the Amakhosi doing a good job in taking the sting out of the game in the dying stages and securing all three points.
The teams will be back in DStv Premiership action this weekend, with Swallows away to TS Galaxy on Saturday 8 October, while Chiefs will visit Stellenbosch FC the following day.
Swallows FC (0) 1 (Isaacs 68’)
Kaizer Chiefs (2) 2 (Bimenyimana 35’, Dolly 45+1’)
Swallows:Tshabalala, Lukhubeni, Sait, Letlabika, Zulu, Wambi, Mthethwa, Patjie, Mtshali (Musonda 69’), Malinga (Makua 48’), Isaacs
Kaizer Chiefs:Khune, Frosler, Kwinika, Edmilson, Hlanti, Maart, Blom, Dolly, Du Preez, Sekgota, Bimenyimana (Alexander 80’)
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