Kaizer Chiefs got off to a winning start in the Betway Premiership after defeating ten-man Stellenbosch FC 2-0 on Sunday evening.
Betway Premiership
Result: Stellenbosch FC 0-2 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 10 August 2025
Venue: Athlone Stadium
While coach Nasreddine Nabi was not available on the Chiefs bench, Thabiso Monyane the only new signing named in starting line-up while development graduate Naledi Hlongwane started in the attack.
Stellenbosch dominated possession in the early stages but they were dealt a big blow on 12 minutes when debutant Siviwe Nkali was shown a straight red card for bringing down Mduduzi Shabalala, who was clean through on goal.
From the resulting free-kick, Chiefs took the lead as Nkosingiphile Ngcobo found the back of the net with a lovely curling free-kick around 20 yards out, opening his account for the season.
Despite being a man down, Stellenbosch remained a threat in the first half and they went agonisingly close on 25 minutes when Devin Titus cut inside and unleashed a curling strike that crashed against the upright while Sanele Barns saw his curling free-kick rattle the same post three minutes later.
Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen ensured Chiefs went into the break with the lead after pulling off a fine save to keep out Barns' volley.
Chiefs made a change at the start of the second half by withdrawing Ngcobo for Mthethwa, who immediately made the midfield more compact after Stellenbosch dominated in the first period.
Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker responded with a triple change on the hour mark as Lesiba Nku, Ibraheem Jabaar and Muzomuhle Khanyi were introduced for Chumani Butsaka, De Jong and Ashley Cupido.
The visitors managed to carve out a couple big chances of their own, but both Wandile Duba and Glody Lilepo failed to hit the target from inside the six-yard area, giving the home side a glimmer of hope.
Stellenbosch, however, were unable to make Chiefs pay for those misses as the visitors were awarded a penalty in second-half stoppage time for Omega Mdaka's foul on Ashley du Preez. Lilepo stepped up and calmly slotted home to seal the win in Cape Town.
Here's how they lined up:
Stellenbosch FC: 17. Stephens, 24. Moloisane, 16. Enyinnaya, 14. Nkwali, 3. Mdaka, 33. Butsaka, 19. Palace, 20. Barns, 9. Cupido, 18. De Jong, 34. Titus
Subs: 35. Langeveldt, 26. Mcaba, 15. Khanyi, 7. Nku, 8. Lekoloane, 27. Jabaar, 11. Phili, 10. Mojela, 12. Khiba
Kaizer Chiefs: 1. Petersen, 48. Cross, 35. McCarthy, 84. Miguel, 2. Monyane, 21. Cele, 12. Ngcobo, 42. Shabalala, 36. Duba, 99. Lilepo, 31. Hlongwane
Subs: 30. Ntwari, 4. Kwinika, 39. Frosler, 5. Mthethwa, 6. Ndlovu, 34. Mabaso, 28. Vilakazi, 10. Sirino, 9. Du Preez
