Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on Jan 19, 2025.
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1
(Vilakazi 86’)
Sekhukhune United (0) 0
Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
Betway Premiership
An 86th minute goal from teenage substitute, Mfundo Vilakazi gave Kaizer Chiefs a welcome 1-0 victory over Sekhukhune United on a balmy day at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Sunday to lift them into 5th place in the Betway Premiership standings.
The result was well-deserved on balance of play and fans will be encouraged by the performance and character shown in the wake of last weekend’s disappointing showing.
With assistant coach, Khalid Be Youssef, manning the technical area in the absence of suspended head coach, Nasreddine Nabi , the opening half belonged almost exclusively to Chiefs who, from the start, pressed well and won the ball high up the pitch. On three occasions, Wandile Duba caused havoc in the Sekhukhune defence from clever balls over the top that on another day might have resulted in goals. Samkelo Zwane was showing some classy touches in midfield and came close to providing an assist in the 8th minute when his pin-point corner was met firmly by Rushwin Dortley’s header, forcing goalkeeper Bardra Ali Sangare to tip the ball over the bar at full stretch.
Amakhosi produced some neat passing movements that resulted in shots from the edge of the box from Duba and a few minutes later, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, as Chiefs pushed for the goal their dominance deserved.
It took 30 minutes for Sekhukhune to mount a meaningful attack in the form of Vuyo Letlapa’s long range shot, which was comfortably saved by Bruce Bvuma, albeit at the expense of a corner which was subsequently cleared.
George Matlou was next to make an impression, striking a fierce 40th minute shot that stung the palms of Sangare, who could only parry the ball away.
On the stroke of halftime, Matlou played a superb defence-splitting ball through to Tebogo Potsane but he was foiled by Sangare’s charge off his line to snuff out the danger, as the teams went into the break with no score on the board.
The second half was a more evenly contested attritional affair with clear cut chances few and far between. Still, the better of the opportunities were fashioned by Amakhosi. Substitute Yusuf Maart almost broke the deadlock midway through the half with a typical long range cannon ball that whizzed past the post with Sanagare rooted to the spot.
There was some controversy in the 83rd minute when Letlapa was shown a red card for a particularly rough tackle on Vilakazi. However, the gifted youngster would have the last laugh four minutes later, scoring the winner after having spurned a good chance earlier on.
The three points keep Amakhosi in the hunt for a high finish in the league this season and will give them confidence going into next weekend’s Nedbank Cup meeting with Free Agents.
Post match facts
This was Chiefs’ fourth league win over Sekhukhune in the 7th league clash between the sides.
Chiefs have won three of their four home league games against Sekhukhune United, including on the last two occasions.
Mfundo Vilakazi scored what was Chiefs’ 7th league goal against Sekhukhune United, and he is the 7th different player to score for Chiefs in a league game against Sekhukhune.
Victory for Chiefs saw them end Sekhukhune United’s five-game unbeaten run in the league. It was also Sekhukhune’s first league loss of 2025.
Chiefs had seven shots on target in this game, with five coming in the first half.
Chiefs attempted 496 passes in this game, with a passing accuracy of 81.7%
Chiefs were playing a league game at the Moses Mabhida Stadium for the fourth time this season. This was their third win.
Line-ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma (44), Miguel (84), Dortley (14), Cross (48), Blom (6) (Kwinika (4) 77’), Mthethwa (5), Zwane (37) (Ngcobo (12) 89’) Matlou (22) (Maart (8) 59’), Mmodi (13), Potsane (11) (Vilakazi (28) 59’), Duba (36) (Chivaviro (7) 77’)
Subs not used: Ntwari (30), Msimango (25), Ditlhokwe (24), Mashiane (19,
Coach: Nasreddine Nabi
Sekhukhune United: Sangare (30); Letlapa (25), Mkhabela (27), Tshibwabwa (29), Cardoso (4), Mkhize (15), Mokhuoane (21) (Monare (18) 60’), Magalwa (7) (Rammala (33) 71’), Boyeli (9) (Ohizu (34) 71’), Otladisa (39) (Mokoena (31) 46’), Mncube (10) (Mntambo (23) 46’)
Subs not used: Kazapuwa (1); Mohamme (26), Sithole (24), Mbule (22)
Coach: Lehlohonolo Seema
