Kaizer Chiefs (1) 2
(Duba 29’, 57’)

Stellenbosch FC (1) 1
(Lekoloane 20’)

Betway Premiership
FNB Stadium, Nasrec

Amakhosi capped their 55^th anniversary celebrations with a 2-1 victory over Stellenbosch FC in an exciting Betway Premiership encounter at FNB stadium on Wednesday evening.

Even more impressive is that Chiefs came from a goal down to clinch the three valuable points that see them leapfrog their opponents on the night into 5^th place in the league standings, on 18 points from 12 matches.

Khomotjo Lekoloane gave the visitors a 20^th minute lead but Amakhosi were level before halftime thanks to Wandile Duba’s equaliser. The precociously talented forward then bagged the winner in the 57^th minute, cuing an outpouring of elation amongst the Amakhosi faithful who had turned out in their numbers to participate in the festivities.

Amid a joyous atmosphere inside the FNB stadium, Chiefs began purposefully and dominated early possession. Bradley Cross had an opportunity after only six minutes from a clever inside pass by Duba, but it fell to his weaker right foot and sailed over the crossbar.

The hosts were then stunned in the 20^th minute, falling behind to a goal largely of their own making. Cross was dispossessed near the corner flag deep inside his own half and Stellenbosch cashed in, cutting though the wrongfooted Amakhosi defence, as Jayden Adams slipped Devin Titus in behind to cross for Lekoloane to tap home from two yards out.

The lead lasted less than 10 minutes, though, and the Glamour boys drew level when Thatayaone Dotlhokwe headed Mududzi Shabalala’s deep corner back across goal and Duba snuck in to nod in the equaliser from close range in the 29^th minute.

Coach Nabi made a bold substitution moments later, bringing on Tebogo Potsane and Mfundo Vilakazi for Ashley Du Preez and Cross.

Chiefs pushed forward and Sibongiseni Mthethwa almost scored against his former team when his long range effort narrowly missed the target.

After a lively 45 minutes, the teams went into the halftime break all square at 1-1.

Chiefs came out for the second period determined to make add another memorable night to the Club’s 55-year legacy and they were rewarded for their brave effort to go for the victory in the 57^th minute. Young Mfundo Vilakazi played a superb ball behind the Stellenbosch defence from the right flank, perfectly timed and weighted to meet Duba’s run, and the forward showed further evidence of his growing maturity to keep his composure and ‘nutmeg’ goalkeeper Sage Stephens, firing the ball between his legs into the net.

Amakhosi withstood Stellies’ attempts to claw their way back, and owe a debt of gratitude to goalkeeper, Bruce Bvuma for producing two outstanding saves to deny first, Ibraheem Jabaar, and late on Godswill Enyinnaya to maintain the lead and ultimately secure the victory.

The result, and the manner in which it was achieved, provides a big boost to Coach Nabi and the players and they will travel to Durban to face Lamontville Golden Arrows in their forthcoming Betway Premiership fixture on Sunday brimming with confidence and motivation to continue their climb up the league table.

Line-ups:

Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma (44), Dortley (14), Miguel (84), Ditlhokwe (24) (Mashiane (19) 78’), Cross (48) (Potsane (11) 30’), Blom (6), Mthethwa (5), Maart © (8) (Matlou (22) 90’), Shabalala (42), Duba (36) (Chivaviro (7) 78’), Du Preez (9) (Vilakazi (28) 30’)

Subs not used: Ntwari (30); Kwinika (4), Solomons (18), Ngcobo (12)

Coach: Nasreddine Nabi

Stellenbosch FC: Stephens ©(17); Toure (45), Jabaar (27) (Barns 71’), Enyinnaya (16), Basadien (21) (Mdaka (3) 62’), Nduli (8), Lekoloane (5) (Butsaka (15) 62’), Moloisane (24), Adams (23) (Palace (28) 62’), De Jong (18) (Cupido (9) 71’), Titus (34)

Subs not used: Masuluke (30); Onyango (2), Jurgens (6), Phili (11)

Coach: Steve Barker