Kaizer Chiefs beat Sekhukhune United to stay top of Betway Premiership

Kaizer Chiefs moved to the top of the Betway Premiership with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United at a bitterly cold FNB Stadium on Wednesday night.

The result gave Amakhosi their second win of the campaign and came at an important time, with Chiefs now preparing for a highly anticipated meeting with rivals Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.

Chiefs have six points from their opening two matches. Their campaign began with a victory against newcomers Kruger United, and the latest success keeps them at the summit ahead of their clash with the Brazilians.

The match also brought former Chiefs coach Cedric Kaze back to face his old club. However, Kaze was unable to guide Sekhukhune United to a result against his former employers during a chilly evening in Johannesburg.

Chiefs had an opportunity to take control of the game in the 16th minute. Asanele Velebayi found himself in a promising position inside Sekhukhune’s penalty area but opted to pass to a team-mate, despite appearing to have a better chance of scoring by shooting himself.

That missed opportunity proved inconsequential as Chiefs eventually found a way through in the second half.

They broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute after a flowing attacking move involving Langelihle Phili and Dillan Solomons. The move ended with Luke Baartman finishing past Sekhukhune goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata to give Chiefs the lead.

Sekhukhune were unable to find an equaliser, and Chiefs made sure of the points six minutes before the end of normal time.

Mduduzi Shabalala received a defence-splitting pass from Siphesihle Ndlovu before beating Nsabata to put the result beyond doubt and secure a 2-0 win.

Chiefs will now turn their attention to Saturday’s meeting with Mamelodi Sundowns, with the club sitting top of the standings after two matches.

Pirates held by AmaZulu

In the other fixture, Pirates were held to a 1-1 draw by AmaZulu at Kings Park Stadium in Durban on Tuesday night.

The point left Pirates second in the standings.

Pirates took the lead after only seven minutes when Tshepang Moremi reacted quickest following a failure by AmaZulu goalkeeper Faveur Kouassi to clear the danger. Moremi pounced on the loose ball and finished to put Pirates ahead.

AmaZulu restored parity just before half-time. Kamogelo Sebelebele was penalised for tripping Mlondi Mbanjwa inside the penalty area, giving the home side the chance to level.

Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya converted the opportunity, sending the ball past Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine to make it 1-1.

Neither side was able to find a winning goal after the interval, leaving Pirates with a draw and allowing them to remain second behind league leaders Kaizer Chiefs.