Chiefs rally back to end winless streak

Kaizer Chiefs ended their four-game winless run with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Sekhukhune United on Wednesday night.

Chiefs handed Njabulo Ngcobo and Edmilson Dove their first starts of the season alongside a recall for Christian Saile, as three changes from their loss against Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 Cup.

New Amakhosi arrival, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, meanwhile, started from the bench after he was signed last week.

The Glamour Boys started with a lot of energy as Ashley Du Preez and Edson Castillo had early chances but made it easy for goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare to make the saves.

The hosts continued to look lively going forward but their decision-making let them down as Saile had a good chance midway through the first stanza after going through on goal but he fired his shot just wide with Du Preez in a seemingly better position.

Sekhukhune looked to take the momentum out of Chiefs attacks, slowing down the game and that opened up things for them as Elias Mokwana broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a low strike at the near post after a through ball by Chibuike Ohizu. 

Amakhosi were fired up from the break, put Babina Noko under all sorts of pressure and Castillo eventually levelled matters just before the hour-mark after he deflected Du Preez's shot with a close-range diving header.

Molefi Ntseki had already prepared substitutions before Castillo equalised and he was withdrawn on 67 minutes in favour of Mthethwa while Ranga Chivaviro replaced Saile in a double tactical switch.

As Chiefs continued to pressurize Sekhukhune, Dove eventually gave them the lead 15 minutes before time with a header in the box from a cross by Reeve Frosler.

Brandon Truter's men raised their game in the closing stages after they introduced Sibusiso Vilakazi and Kgomotso Mosadi in attacking changes.

Vilakazi nearly equalised for Babina Noko in the last three minutes with a header that came off the bottom post and Vusimuzi Mncube could not capitalize with a shot that missed wide from a rebound.

However, Chiefs absorbed the pressure in the tail end and held on to victory, which took them up to fifth on the table.

Confirmed line-ups:

Kaizer Chiefs:  Petersen, Dove, Ditlhokwe, Njabulo Ngcobo, Frosler, Maart, Castillo, Matlou, Saile, Du Preez, Mmodi

Subs: Khune, Msimango, Kwinika, Mthethwa, Mdantsane, Potsane, Chivaviro, Shabalala, Zwane

Sekhukhune United: Sangare, Mobbie, Mabotja, Cardoso, Tshibwabwa, Mokotjo, Mokwana, Webber, Ohizu, Mkhize, Bwalya

You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.

Click HERE to register!