Kaizer Chiefs got back to winning ways in the Betway Premiership after a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Stellenbosch on Wednesday evening.
Betway Premiership
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 Stellenbosch
Date: 08 January 2025
Venue: FNB Stadium
Chiefs made two changes following their loss against Cape Town City, as Bradley Cross and Njabulo Blom were recalled in places of Reeve Frosler and Christian Saile who were not in the squad.
Amakhosi had a chance to have a perfect start after Cross went through on goal from a pass by Wandile Duba but he guided his over the crossbar, one-on-one with goalkeeper Sage Stephens.
Stellies pressed the Glamour Boys high and forced them into a mistake on 20 minutes after Khomotjo Lekoloane had a tap-in from a square pass by Devin Titus.
Nasreddine Nabi charges, however, responded just before the half-hour mark after Duba guided home glancing header from close-range from a corner situation.
Nabi was already preparing changes and hooked off Cross, who made the mistake that led to a goal and brought on Tebogo Potsane in a tactical switch and Mfundo Vilakazi also replaced Ashley Du Preez who appeared to have been injured.
The game opened up towards the end of the first stanza but neither side had clear-cut opportunities, it remained 1-1 at half-time.
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Steve Barker's men played a high line from the break and they were exposed just before the hour-mark after Duba gave Amakhosi the lead and grabbed his brace with a good finish at the near post after a through ball by Vilakazi.
Duba could not continue, however, with 13 minutes to go due to injury and he was replaced by Ranga Chivaviro while at the same time Happy Mashiane came on for Thatayaone Ditlhokwe for width at left full-back.
Chiefs, however, were sitting back in the closing stages and nearly conceded an equaliser after Sihle Nduli went through on goal for Stellies but he dragged his shot wide.
Sanele Barns was unfortunate not to make it 2-2 for the visitors with a chipped free-kick that came off the far post, with shot Bruce Bvuma well beaten.
Amakhosi absorbed the pressure and held on to a much needed win.
Here's how they lined up:
Kaizer Chiefs: 44. Bvuma, 48. Cross, 6. Blom, 84. Miguel, 14. Dortley, 24. Ditlhokwe, 8. Maart, 5. Mthethwa, 36. Duba, 42. Shabalala, 9. Du Preez
Subs: 30. Ntwari, 4. Kwinika, 18. Solomons, 19. Mashiane, 22. Matlou, 11. Potsane, 28. Vilakazi, 12. Ngcobo, 7. Chivaviro
Stellenbosch: 17. Stephens, 24. Moloisane, 45. Toure, 27. Jabaar, 16. Enyinnaya, 8. Nduli, 21. Basadien, 5. Lekoloane, 18. De Jong, 23. Adams, 34. Titus
Subs: 30. Masuluke, 2. Onyango, 28. Palace, 6. Jurgens, 3. Mdaka, 11. Phili, 15. Butsaka, 9. Cupido, 20. Barns
