Chiefs In Crisis After Fourth Straight Defeat, Admits Kaze

Following a fourth successive defeat — this time against Richards Bay in the Betway Premiership — these are difficult times for Kaizer Chiefs, admits co-coach Cedric Kaze.

Richards Bay capitalised on Chiefs’ emotionally draining Soweto Derby loss to Orlando Pirates, compounding their misery with a 1-0 victory at Umhlathuze Sports Complex on Tuesday.

It could have been worse for Amakhosi were it not for goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma, who produced three crucial saves in the dying minutes as Bay pushed for a second goal, including denying Knox Mutizwa.

The result marked Chiefs’ fourth consecutive loss in all competitions and their first away defeat of the league season. They remain fifth on the table with 30 points from 18 matches, while Richards Bay moved up to ninth with 23 points after 19 games.

The pressure is mounting on Chiefs. Frustration among supporters was evident even before kick-off, with sections of fans booing the team during the warm-up.

Chiefs came into the encounter still reeling from their heavy Derby defeat at FNB Stadium on Saturday. The emotional and physical toll of that high-profile fixture appeared to linger, affecting their performance against Bay.

As always, the Derby, its preparation, and the prestige of the game can take a lot out of any player, emotionally and physically, which led to the Chiefs not meeting the required standard.

“It is a difficult time,” Kaze replied to Sportswire after the match.

“Sometimes when a team goes through moments like this, that is when we need to stay calm and find solutions. If we start panicking, things can get worse.

“We need to keep calm, keep our heads, and try to find solutions.”

It would now require a dramatic collapse from joint log leaders Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns for Chiefs to revive their title hopes.

There was a debut for Chiefs, with Nkanyiso Shinga making his first start at left-back. However, they suffered a setback during the warm-up when Inacio Miguel was ruled out through injury and replaced by Bradley Cross, who partnered Aden McCarthy in central defence. Dillan Solomons slotted in at right-back.

With 9,678 fans in attendance in northern KwaZulu-Natal, the match began at a frantic pace, with Natal Rich Boyz pinning Chiefs in their own half.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 69th minute when Cross misjudged a clearance. The ball fell kindly to Sanele Barns, who set up Thulani Gumede. Gumede cut inside and, with Bvuma off his line, fired into the near post and into the net.

It was also the first time Chiefs had conceded an away goal in the league this season.

“It was one of those evenings where things were not going for us,” Kaze reflected.

“We entered the game well in the first 15 to 20 minutes. We were on the front foot and threatening the opponent’s box. After that, we became a little defensive, and I believe the threat came from them playing direct balls. Our defence was a bit shaky; it wasn’t really clicking in the first half. There were not many opportunities for either team.

“In the second half, we thought we were doing well, but we didn’t threaten their defensive line enough. We had fit players, but we didn’t make enough runs behind the line. We tried to correct that with the introduction of some players, but unfortunately we conceded at a moment when I felt we were the better team.

“After that, it became a difficult situation. We tried everything to come back, but it wasn’t to be.”