Amakhosi go top with win over Polokwane City
Amakhosi go top with win over Polokwane City

Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on Aug 13, 2025.

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1
(Ndlovu 79’)

Polokwane City (0) 0

Betway Premiership
FNB stadium, Nasrec

Kaizer Chiefs maintained their perfect start to the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season as Siphesihle Ndlovu came off the bench to score the only goal in a 1-0 win over Polokwane City at FNB stadium on Wednesday evening.

The midfielder’s 79th minute winner, his first goal for the Club since joining ahead of the new campaign, takes Amakhosi to the top of the standings, albeit with only two matches played. They can, however, be pleased with maximum points, the best goal difference and no goals conceded.

Amakhosi had the better of the early exchanges, followed by a short phase of Polokwane attack in which Brandon Petersen was called upon twice in quick succession. After that the game settled into a pattern of Chiefs pushing forward and City compressing the space midway inside their own half. It led to something of a stand-off as Chiefs toiled to penetrate the well-disciplined Polokwane defence. When the visitors did break out, Inacio Miguel and Aiden McCarthy were on hand to snuff out any potential danger.

The play opened up slightly as the half wore on but clear chances were scarce. Gaston Sirino might have done better than shoot wide after playing a one-two with Wandile Duba on the edge of the box to create room for a strike.

Three minutes later, Glody Lilepo forced a reflex save from Brian Bwire low to his left that brought the crowd to its feet.

Sirino had another decent opportunity in the 38th minute on a breakaway but as he drew a defender towards him his release of the ball was a split-second late and Mduduzi Shabalala was caught offside as he looed to be through on goal.

The best chance for Amakhosi came moments later when Lilepo rose majestically above the defence to head Sirino’s corner against the crossbar with Bwire stranded, which would have given them a deserved lead. Instead, the teams went into the break level at 0-0.

The second period largely mirrored the first, with Amakhosi probing for cracks in the Rise and Shine armour. Duba, in particular was his typical tenacious self, making clever runs and looking dangerous in possession.

Lilepo, too, was a constant threat, and he almost squeezed a shot past Bwire, who awkwardly managed to get a part of his body in the way of the Congolese winger’s shot.

The deadlock was finally broken with 11 minutes remaining when four substitutes combined to fashion the decisive play of the match. Reeve Frosler got a second bite at a far post cross from Pule Mmodi after his initial header was blocked. With admirable composure, he laid the ball back to Ndlovu to thump it into the net from about 12 yards out.

To their credit, as in the Stellenbosch game, Chiefs weathered some difficult moments and came through to get the result without being breached. While it is still very early in the season, the unity within the squad has been demonstrated on the pitch and there are signs to give the loyal fanbase optimism going forward into next Tuesday’s home game against Richards Bay at FNB stadium.



Line-ups

Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen (1), Cross (48) (Vilakazi (28) 75’), Miguel © (84), McCarthy (35), Monyane (2) (Frosler (39) 69’), Mthethwa (5), Cele (21) (Mmodi (13) 64’), Shabalala (7) (Ngcobo (12) 46’), Sirino (10) (Ndlovu (8) 63’), Lilepo (99), ), Duba (47)

Subs not used: Ntwari (30), Kwinika (4), Mako (29), Du Preez (9)

Assistant Coaches: Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze

Polokwane City: Bwire (50), Manthosi (42), Motsa (31), Nikani © (4), Nkaki (34), Maphungule (14), Kambala (21), Dlamini (17), Tshablalala (29) (Mashiane (28) 63’), Letshedi (8) Marema (10) 46’), Ramabu (7) (Thobo 63’)

Subs not used: Makhavu (30), Nikani (4), Ramaja (22), Batlhabane (47), Sebone (25), Mankga (33)

Coach: Phuti Mohafe


Share this article: