Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on Aug 19, 2025.
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1
(Sirino 57’)
Richards Bay FC (0) 0
Betway Premiership
FNB Stadium, Nasrec
Amakhosi maintained their perfect record in the 2025/26 Betway Premiership thanks to a wonderful second half goal from substitute Gaston Sirino that secured a 1-0 win over Richards Bay at the FNB stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Uruguayan scored with a spectacular shot after 56 minutes following a sweeping move upfield.
In truth, Amakhosi will feel they out to have won by a wider margin, but nine points without conceding a goal after three matches will feel very satisfying at this early stage of the season, with the team expected to improve as the campaign progresses.
As the match got underway, Amakhosi showed the sense of confidence that comes off the back of two consecutive clean-sheet victories, passing the ball around crisply with authority, looking for an early advantage from the get-go.
Chiefs won a corner in the opening minute, which was headed wide by Wandile Duba. Thabiso Monyane brought Richards Bay goalkeeper, Salim Magoola into action in the 8th minute, likewise Glody Lilepo four minutes later, both having long range shots saved.
The home side continued to exert pressure on the visitors who were battling desperately to avoid a third league defeat in a row. Their packed defence made it difficult for Amakhosi to create clear chances, despite the total dominance of Siphesihle Ndlovu, Thabo Cele and Sibongiseni Mthethwa in midfield. Lilepo shot wide in the 20th minute and Mduduzi Shabalala saw his goal bound effort blocked on the half-hour mark.
Concerningly, one of Chiefs’ top performers this season, defender Aiden McCarthy, sustained a hamstring injury and had to be replaced by Zitha Kwinika in the 36th minute.
In the 38th minute, Monyane fired in a cross from the right and when cleared fell to Shabalala on the edge of the box but he couldn’t keep his volley down and the ball flew over the crossbar.
Although the opening 45 minutes were played almost entirely in the Richards Bay half of the field, the resolute Natal Rich Boys managed to reach half-time level at 0-0.
The second half continued as the first had ended with Chiefs setting up camp on the outskirts of the Richards Bay penalty area but with often 10 men behind the ball, space to work was at a premium.
Lilepo had a header desperately cleared inside the opposition six-yard box and Duba headed straight at Magoola from close range in the 53rd minute.
The dam finally broke in the 57th minute, ironically in response to a re=are Richards Bay foray forward. Chiefs broke through Lilepo, who fed Duba steaming down the right. The youngster intelligently cut the ball back towards Shabalala, who cleverly stepped over the ball allowing it to run into the path of Sirino to hit an unstoppable shot of pace and precision into the top corner of the net.
With a lead on the board, Chiefs curtailed their all-out attacking intent and reverted to a more possession-based approach, although they might well have added a second in the 85th minute when substitute, Pule Mmodi made a mazy run across goal before releasing fellow sub, Mfundo Vilakazi, moments after the teenager had come on but he shot straight at the keeper.
With the Amakhosi faithful in fine voice rocking in the stands, Chiefs cruised through the remaining time to wrap up their third win on the trot and set them up to go into next Wednesday’s titanic clash against Mamelodi Sundowns with confidence.
Post match facts
Chiefs were meeting Richards Bay for the 7th time;, this was their 5th win.
Chiefs have won all four of their home league games against Richards Bay.
Chiefs have kept a clean sheet in their first three league games of a season for the first time since the 2003/04.
Brandon Petersen has a kept a clean sheet in his last four league appearances, the first Chiefs goalkeeper to do so since Itumeleng Khune in 2016/17..
Gaston Sirino scored his first goal of the season. His last league goal was in a 3-1 away league win against AmaZulu in September 2024.
Chiefs have now gone 400 minutes in league action, going back to last season, without conceding a goal.
Line-ups
Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen (1), Cross (48), Miguel (84), McCarthy (Kwinika (4) © 36’) , (35), Monyane (2), Mthethwa (5) (Ngcobo (12) 46’), Cele (21), Ndlovu (8) (Sirino (10) 46’), Shabalala (7) (Vilakazi (28) 85’), Lilepo (99), ), Duba (47) (Mmodi (13) 68’)
Subs not used: Ntwari (30), Frosler (39), Mako (29), Hlongwane (31)
Assistant Coaches: Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze
Richards Bay FC: Magoola (16), Vilakazi (26), Mntungwa (47), Mabua (72), Mcineka © (25), Mthethwa (6), Gumede (17) (Nombengula (75) 42’), Zikhali (36) Zuke (8) 76’), Mthembu (20), Mahala (14) (Mhango (7) 66’), (Nzama (19) Thikazi (34) 66’)
Subs not used: Otieno (1); Benson (12), Ngema (33), Bomelo (9), Nzama (15)
Coaches: Papi Zothwane and Ronnie Gabriel
