Sekhukhune United begin Betway Premiership campaign with victory over Durban City

Sekhukhune United made a winning start to the Betway Premiership season after Bright Ndlovu’s first-half goal secured a 1-0 victory over Durban City at Seshego Stadium on Saturday evening.

The result gives new Sekhukhune head coach Cedric Kaze an ideal start in his first league match in charge. Durban City, meanwhile, were unable to mark their return to competitive action with a positive result under their new coach, Khalil Ben Youssef.

Both clubs finished in the top eight last season and have now placed their teams under new leadership. Kaze and Ben Youssef were co-coaches of Kaizer Chiefs last campaign, but began their latest assignments on opposite sides in the opening fixture of the new Premiership season.

The match took time to settle, but Sekhukhune broke the deadlock in the 26th minute. Bradley Mojela brought down a long pass from Siphesihle Mkhize before moving towards the left side of the penalty area. He then supplied Ndlovu, who showed excellent control before driving the ball into the far corner.

Durban City attempted to respond through Jean Lwamba, whose powerful effort followed a pass from Brooklyn Poggenpoel. However, former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi was equal to the attempt and kept Sekhukhune in front.

Buthelezi remained central to the contest soon afterwards. He made a well-timed run out of his penalty area to reach a long ball and palm it clear after Givemore Khupe had delivered from a corner.

Durban began to build momentum as the game progressed and Ben Youssef turned to his substitutes in an effort to change the match. Former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns playmaker Gaston Sirino made his debut, replacing Thabo Nodada.

The change helped Durban increase the pressure after the interval. They came close to an equaliser when Samkelo Maseko’s effort was parried by Buthelezi, but Keletso Sifumba could only send the rebound over the crossbar from close range.

The two sides continued to compete through different attacking approaches, with neither able to find a way through. The closing stages produced further drama when Durban substitutes Seth Green and Tashreeq Morris combined to put the ball in the net, but the effort did not count.

Sekhukhune held on to claim all three points and give Kaze a perfect start to the campaign. The result leaves the Nedbank Cup champions facing a difficult opening-day defeat, while Babina Noko can look ahead with confidence.

Sekhukhune’s next fixtures are against AmaZulu in the MTN8, followed by matches with Kaizer Chiefs and Polokwane City.

Durban City will face Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 before meeting Golden Arrows and Richards Bay.