Kaizer Chiefs climb to third after edging past Siwelele in five-goal thriller

Kaizer Chiefs moved up to third in the Betway Premiership after beating Siwelele 3-2 at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday.

Fernando da Cruz’s side took control through goals from Mfundo Vilakazi and Wandile Duba before Aphiwe Baliti reduced the deficit with his first goal for Siwelele. Substitute Faiz Abrahams restored Chiefs’ two-goal advantage, while Michael N’Guessan scored with his first touch in South African football to give Siwelele late hope.

The victory takes Chiefs above AmaZulu with 11 points from five matches. Lehlohonolo Seema’s Siwelele remain 14th, with two points.

Chiefs began brightly, with Lebohang Maboe sending an early effort from distance high over Siwelele goalkeeper Samukelo Xulu. Maboe went closer moments later, forcing Xulu to palm away another long-range attempt.

Pule Mmodi then cut inside on his right foot and saw his shot deflect into Xulu’s path, as Chiefs dominated possession and Siwelele looked to threaten on the counter-attack.

Siwelele’s first meaningful move came down the right, although Sphesihle Jeza was unable to provide a dangerous cross. Relebogile Mokhuoane also missed the target after being picked out by Jeza.

At the other end, Xulu had to tip Dillan Solomons’ cross over the bar, while Mmodi could not connect with Mduduzi Shabalala’s delivery into the six-yard box.

Siwelele almost broke through after 18 minutes when Hamza Issah ran on to an excellent ball over the Chiefs defence. Inacio Miguel recovered in time to make an important covering tackle.

Duba then controlled a pass from Mmodi on the edge of the area but drove his left-footed effort just wide. Vilakazi also missed from a promising position after 27 minutes, shooting high and wide.

Three minutes later, however, the home side were ahead. Maboe delivered a fine aerial pass towards Vilakazi, who spotted Xulu too far from his line and produced a clever lob from the edge of the area.

Siwelele attempted to respond through Shadrack Kobedi, who failed to find the target. Duba appeared to double Chiefs’ advantage after 35 minutes, but his finish was correctly ruled out for offside.

As the half drew to a close, Shabalala fired into the crowd, while Duba missed from a tight angle after Siwelele failed to clear. Yandisa Mfolozi then made a crucial block to prevent Solomons from scoring.

Siwelele ended the first half with a chance of their own, but Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen made a fingertip save to keep out Blessing Thulo’s corner.

Chiefs started the second period on the front foot, although Thabiso Sesane stopped Mmodi’s progress. Jeza then collected the ball after moving ahead of Ndlovu, but his shot was comfortably saved by Petersen. Jeza skewed another effort wide after racing into the Chiefs penalty area.

Siwelele continued searching for an equaliser, but Thulo could not make the most of a half-chance after being forced away from goal.

Duba again found the net following a flowing passing move, only for the goal to be disallowed because he was offside after Shabalala’s scuffed shot fell to him.

Maboe won a corner with a deflected effort shortly before the hour, but Chiefs failed to make the set-piece count. Siyabonga Ndebele then read the danger to cut out a cross from Mmodi, who had been released down the line by Miguel.

With 25 minutes remaining, Seema introduced Selaelo Rasebotja, Neo Mokhachane and Tebogo Potsane for Pule, Thulo and Jeza.

The changes had barely been made when Chiefs scored again. Shabalala delivered a short corner into the area and Duba produced an audacious backheel to send the ball beyond Xulu and into the net.

Siwelele refused to surrender and pulled a goal back through Baliti, who finished strongly after a series of passes along the Chiefs backline.

Chiefs responded with a triple substitution. Luke Baartman replaced Shabalala, Ndlovu was taken off for Abrahams, and Sibongiseni Mthethwa came on for Vilakazi.

Abrahams made an immediate impact. The player on loan from Stellenbosch struck a superb curling free-kick which hit the upright and then the goalkeeper before crossing the line after 76 minutes.

Xulu prevented Duba from adding another when he held a powerful shot on the run. Chiefs made two further changes with six minutes left, bringing on Ethan Chislett and Reeve Frosler for Duba and Solomons.

Abrahams had an opportunity to score a second, but a poor first touch allowed Xulu to collect. Siwelele had the final say when N’Guessan came off the bench and scored with his first touch, but the goal came too late to alter the result.

Chiefs next travel to Polokwane City next weekend, while Siwelele face another away fixture against Mamelodi Sundowns.