Kaizer Chiefs edge Siwelele in five-goal thriller to keep title hopes alive

Kaizer Chiefs kept themselves in touch with the championship race after beating Siwelele 3-2 in a dramatic contest at a packed Dobsonville Stadium on a cold and rainy Sunday evening.

The win leaves Chiefs chasing the leading pair of Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, while Siwelele’s late fightback ensured a tense finish in Soweto.

Backed by thousands of supporters who endured the poor weather, Chiefs started the match with greater intensity and controlled the midfield for long periods. Lebohang Maboe and Siphesihle Ndlovu dominated their battle with Siwelele’s central pairing of Shandrack Kobedi and Relebohile Makhuoane.

The Chiefs duo won most of the challenges in the middle of the pitch and played a major role in setting up attacks during the opening half.

Siwelele struggled to make meaningful progress towards the Chiefs penalty area, while the home side repeatedly found openings in the visitors’ defence. Mfundo Vilakazi and Mduduzi Shabalala were particularly effective when Chiefs attacked through the middle, with Pule Mmodi and Dillan Solomons providing additional threat from the wide areas.

The pressure eventually told in the 30th minute. Maboe supplied the pass for Vilakazi, who spotted Siwelele goalkeeper Samkelo Xulu advancing from his goal and calmly lifted the ball over him to put Chiefs ahead.

Chiefs remained the stronger side after the interval and extended their lead 20 minutes into the second half. Wandile Duba produced a superb back-heeled finish in the 65th minute, beating Xulu with a goal that could be considered a contender for Goal of the Season.

Siwelele responded almost immediately. Aphiwe Baliti reduced the deficit three minutes later to give the visitors renewed hope.

Chiefs restored their two-goal cushion in the 77th minute when Faiz Abraham’s free-kick took a deflection off Xulu and ended up in the net. That appeared to have given the home side enough breathing room, but Siwelele refused to give up.

Hamza Issah scored Siwelele’s second goal in injury time, setting up a nervy conclusion. Chiefs held on, however, to claim all three points and maintain their position in the title chase.

Fernando da Cruz again selected Brandon Petersen in goal despite the goalkeeper having made a number of mistakes in recent matches. The Chiefs manager also retained a three-man central defensive system, with Zitha Kwinika, Thabo Moloisane and Inacio Miguel starting at the back.

That shape had also been used in Chiefs’ previous two matches against Mamelodi Sundowns and Richards Bay.

Lehlohonolo Seema made several changes to the Siwelele side that had drawn 1-1 at home against Chippa United almost two weeks earlier. Among those brought into the starting line-up were Thabiso Sesane and Blessing Thulo, who replaced Njabulo Ngcobo and Grant Margeman.