Flávio Silva announced his arrival in the Betway Premiership, scoring to give Kaizer Chiefs a 1-0 win over Lamontville Golden Arrows at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday.

The former Portugal U19 international netted on debut for AmaKhosi to extend their unbeaten streak to five games in the league.

Chiefs have won four of their first five Betway Premiership encounters this season, drawing the other to Mamelodi Sundowns, and are the only side in the league yet to concede a goal. They sit tied on 13 points with Sekhukhune United at the top of the table.

Abafana Bes'thende suffered their first defeat against Chiefs since the 2023/24 season and fell to sixth on the log. They have collected seven points from their five Betway Premiership fixtures.

The visitors claimed the first clear chance of the game as Ashley Du Preez fired his 10th minute shot straight at goalkeeper Zakahle Ngcobo.

Chiefs continued to push and had a goal denied in the 22nd minute as Mduduzi Shabalala, who has been selected to represent Bafana Bafana, was judged to be offside.

Arrows had a chance to grab the lead against the run of play in the 39th minute, as Sabelo Sithole was sent loose by a long ball, but his effort was denied by goalkeeper Brandon Peterson.

Shabalala nearly put Chiefs up going into the break after Arrows gave the ball away, but his solo attempt flew over the goal in the 44th minute.

In the 50th minute, Glody Lilepo played a sneaky ball to Shabalala in the box, who took the ball around the keeper, closing the angle for himself. He overcooked his ball to Pule Mmodi at the far post, Chief’s chance coming to nothing.

Arrows could have gone in front in the 55th minute, as Siyanda Ndlovu’s cross found Junior Dion unmarked in the middle of the box, but his effort was denied by the upright.

Chiefs netted in the 69th minute as all three of their 59th minute substitutes linked-up to devastating effect. Mfundo Vilakazi found the run of Gastón Sirino into the Arrows box, who cut the ball back for Silva. The 29-year-old slotted the ball into the back of the net to give AmaKhosi a late lead.

Lilepo broke away down the left side of the pitch in the 80th minute, dribbling past defenders and into the box, but he could not find the back of the net from a tight angle on the baseline.

In the 87th minute, Sibongiseni Mthethwa made a run from halfway and found Sirino, who cut onto his right foot in the box but could not find the back of the net.

Golden Arrows will return to action after the international break against Polokwane City on Wednesday 17 September at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

Chiefs will face Sekhukhune United in a top of table clash on Tuesday 16 September at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.

Lamontville Golden Arrows 0

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Silva 69’)

Golden Arrows: X. Ngcobo, G. Shitolo, S. Sithole (N. Sibiya 70‘), K. Phillips (N. Zwane 46’), A. Jiyane, S. Ndlovu (A. Booysen 64’), N. Dlamini (P. Kumalo 80’), N. Mabaso (S. Cele 64’), O. Komara, J. Dion, A. Maxwele

Kaizer Chiefs: B. Petersen, P. Mako, Z. Kwinika, I. Miguel, T. Monyane, S. Ndlovu (G. Matlou 90+2’), S. Mthethwa, M. Shabalala (G. Sirino 59’), A. Du Preez (F. Silva 59’), G. Lilepo (B. Cross 85’), P. Mmodi (M. Vilakazi 59’)