Ricardo Nascimento’s first-half goal helped Royal AM secure a 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs in their DStv Premiership opener on Saturday evening.
Chiefs featured new signings Zitha Kwinika, Yusuf Maart, Siyethemba Sithebe and Ashley Du Preez, with Andre De Jong up top for AM alongside Mxolisi Macuphu.
The match were off to fiery start in just two minutes after Ricard Nascimento directed a loose clearance off the line from Sithebe following De Jong’s initial shot into the near corner.
An immediate response appeared on the cards for the Amakhosi moments later where Khama Billiat executed a loose ball in the box on target only for Nascimento to clear off the line.
It was all the Amakhosi a little later where a succession of penetrative shots around the box from Du Preez and Cole Alexander worked sharp reflexes off goalkeeper Hugo Nyame.
Royal AM missed a big chance to double their tally ten minutes to halftime when Macuphu tapped a cutback left of the area from Tebogo Potsane wide of the mark.
The Amakhosi continued to apply pressure following the break and were close to a leveller from a ball left of the area by Reeve Frosler, but the host cleared.
Chiefs were on the back-foot once more though as De Jong skinned Njabulo Blom out wide and curled across the far post after he opened an angle.
Thwihli Thwahla were denied a second late in the half when a point-blank save from Bruce Bvuma smothered Nascimento’s first-time volley.
A turnaround for the Amakhosi proved hard to come by well in the closing stages, as Dillon Solomons came off the bench for his debut following his acquisition from Swallows FC.
Late chances aplenty from the visitors followed from Keagan Dolly’s stomping free-kick to a curling drive near the inside by Solomons, whilst AM closed shop for a first win of the season.
Confirmed line-ups:
Royal AM: Nyame, Mogaila, Mahlasela, Lingwati, Ndlovu, Manganyi, Nascimento, Macuphu, Potsane, Kobedi, De Jong.
Subs: Mpoto, Ncobeni, Phalane, Pelembe, Masuki, Msomi, Cele, Gamildien, Shezi
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma, Blom, Ngezana, Kwinika, Frosler, Alexander, Sithebe, Maart, Du Preez, Dolly, Billiat
Subs: Petersen, Nj. Ngcobo, Solomons, Mashiane, Matlou, Radebe, Nk, Ngcobo, Sekgota, Shabalala
Here are full highlights:
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