Baartman and Shabalala earn Kaizer Chiefs back-to-back league victories

Kaizer Chiefs made it two league wins from two matches with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United at FNB Stadium on a bitterly cold evening in Soweto.

The result gives Fernando da Cruz’s side six points from their opening two games, although they had to work patiently before finding a breakthrough in the second half. Luke Baartman scored his first goal for the club shortly after the hour mark, before Mduduzi Shabalala added a second in the 83rd minute.

The match was played against the backdrop of a cold front which has affected Gauteng this week. The low temperatures appeared to contribute to a sparse crowd at the stadium, while the opening 45 minutes offered little in the way of attacking quality.

Sekhukhune United arrived at FNB Stadium after also winning on the opening day, but Cedric Kaze – the former Kaizer Chiefs co-coach – set up his team in a compact shape. That organisation made it difficult for the hosts to break through, restricting them to very few clear opportunities before half-time.

The teams went into the interval level at 0-0, with frustration growing among the supporters who had made their way to Soccer City. Backward passes and interruptions to the flow of the game were greeted by collective groans and jeers from the stands.

Kaizer Chiefs began to alter their approach just after the hour, with Da Cruz preparing changes from the bench. Asanele Velebayi and Baartman appeared ready to leave the pitch, Baartman instead made the decisive contribution.

The 20-year-old was making his third successive league start of the season. He had already attracted attention after being named Man of the Match in Kaizer Chiefs’ opening-day victory over Kruger United, and he showed why he is regarded so highly by the club.

Baartman controlled a cut-back from Dillan Solomons with an excellent first touch inside the penalty area before producing a composed finish. His effort went beyond Zambia international goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata and put Kaizer Chiefs in front.

The opening goal lifted the home side, who began to play with greater urgency as they looked to take control of the contest. Their second goal arrived seven minutes from time when Shabalala finished calmly after receiving a fine assist from Siphesihle Ndlovu.

Kaizer Chiefs continued to push for further goals after Shabalala’s strike, but they were unable to add to their advantage. Their lack of a ruthless final touch was also evident in their MTN8 defeat by Golden Arrows this past weekend.

Despite that, the hosts held on to complete a second successive league victory. The result marked a difficult return to the dugout at Kaizer Chiefs for Kaze, who occupied the same position last season, as his former side maintained its perfect start to the campaign.