Kaizer Chiefs beat SuperSport United 2-1 in an Absa Premiership clash at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening. George Maluleka scored the opener in the 73rd minute, before the visitors equalised 11 minutes later. Eventually, it was substitute William Twala who netted the winner.

Siboniso Gaxa returned to the right-back position, as his replacement in recent games, Kgotso Moleko, had as slight groin injury and therefore didn’t travel with the squad to the Mother City.

The first half was rather even-handed, with the visitors being slightly better during the first phase, while the Amakhosi dominated more the second part.

Matsantsantsa got two good chances in the 13th minute. Firstly, it was Jeremy Brockie whose shot just missed the target, before defender Clayton Daniels header also just went wide.

The best chance for Chiefs came for George Maluleka in the 20th minute, but his shot just shaved the outside of the upright.

Willard Katsande and Lucky Baloyi did well in the central midfield role, while Bernard Parker worked hard on the right wing.

SuperSport tried to pressurise the Chiefs defence early when in possession of the ball, but this faded somewhat after about 20 minutes of play. That’s when the home side was able to put more pressure on the Matsatsantsa defence, even though it didn’t really lead to any major goal scoring opportunities.

Chiefs started the second half better, although none of the sides created any chances early on.

On the other hand, it looked as if George Maluleka was brought down in the box by his opponent after a well-floated ball from the left by Tsepo Masilela. The referee, however, ignored Maluleka’s shout for a penalty.

Daniel Cardoso replaced Gaxa in the 57th minute. This was Cardoso’s first time wearing the Gold and Black jersey in an official match.

Amakhosi’s opening goal came in the 73rd minute, when Siphiwe Tshabalala crossed the ball from slightly to the right of the SuperSport goal to Maluleka, who coolly finished from close range.

Baloyi, who had a fine game, nearly extended the lead in the 82nd minute, but his thunderous drive at goal was well-worked over the crossbar by the Matsatsantsa goalkeeper. The pass had come from Camaldine Abraw.

However, instead of Chiefs scoring another goal, it was SuperSport that netted thanks to Brockie, who volleyed the ball past Reyaad Pieterse from close range.

But it wasn’t the end, as substitute Twala brilliantly put the ball in the back of the next from inside the box.

It was a good win for the home side in the Cape Town Stadium. There was again a nice vibe in the stadium with close to 25 000 spectators in attendance.

It was Chiefs’ four league win in a row and the fifth in total, including last weekend’s CAF Champions League match.

Katsande was again selected as the Man of the Match for another brilliant performance.

Amakhosi now have 38 points from 20 matches and remain in fourth position on the Absa Premiership log. The gap to log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns has been narrowed to eight points, as the Brazilians drew at home against Golden Arrows today.

Chiefs next host Polokwane City at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday, 23 February (kick-off is at 19:30).

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 2 (Maluleka 73' Twala 89')

SuperSport United (0) 1 (Brockie 84')

Teams

Kaizer Chiefs: Pieterse; Gaxa (Cardoso 57'), Gordinho, Mathoho, Masilela - Katsande - Maluleka (Bukenya 90+2'), Baloyi, Tshabalala - Parker (Twala 66'), Abraw

SuperSport United: Williams; Boxall, Daniels, Booysen, Khumalo (Mpeta 79') - Furman, September - Phala (Grobler 86'), Nkhatha, Myambela (Lakay 80') - Brockie