Kaizer Chiefs dropped out of the top eight as they lost 2-0 to Cape Town Spurs at the DHL Stadium in the final round of DStv Premiership fixtures on Saturday.
Already-relegated Spurs were hoping to finish on a high, but the fixture was key for Chiefs who were fighting to remain in the top eight.
There were few opportunities for either side in the opening minutes, as the teams sized each other up, looking for the early initiative.
Range Chivaviro tried an ambitious attempt in the 27th minute, but his shot flew well over Neil Boshoff’s goal.
And it was Spurs who would go into the lead, as Ashley Cupido made it 1-0 in the 36th minute, a well-struck low shot beating a diving Bruce Bvuma.
That goal would be the only scored in the opening 45, though Christian Saile came close just before the break, but Boshoff made an excellent save to deny a powerful shot. Moments later Bvuma saved in style at the other end to deny a good attempt by Asanele Velebayi.
At half-time Spurs led by a goal to nil.
Chiefs made a triple change at the start of the second half, bringing on Yusuf Maart, Mfundo Vilakazi and Wandile Dube.
Chumani Butsaka shot wide in the 54th minute, while Vilakazi went just wide at the other end a minute later. It was end-to-end, and Katlego Maphathe could have doubled Spurs’ lead but was just off target moments later .
Spurs looked to have a penalty when Cupido was pulled back in the 67th minute, but the referee wasn’t interested. A livid Ernst Middendorp was shown a yellow card.
Mdu Shabalala’s effort in the 68th minute took a deflection and Boshoff gathered comfortably.
Moments after Chiefs thought they’d levelled matters, but it was ruled out for off-side, Spurs made it 2-0. In the 74th minute Michael Morton fired in from close range after Bvuma saved Therlo Moosa initial effort.
Edson Castillo’s attempt in the 85th minute flew over. Bvuma kept the score down saving Siphesihle Maduna’s attempt in stoppage time.
The result means Chiefs, who started in eight position, drop to tenth.
