Late Drama
By Sello Masilo
Kaizer Chiefs returned to winning ways in the Betway Premiership after defeating 10-man Sekhukhune United 1-0 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday, 19 January 2025.
The match, which kicked off at 15:30 SAST, saw the Glamour Boys dominate possession and create numerous scoring opportunities. However, it wasn’t until the 86th minute that substitute Mfundo Vilakazi broke the deadlock, capitalising on Sekhukhune United’s reduction to ten men following Vuyo Letlapa’s red card.
First Half: Chiefs Dominate but Fail to Capitalise
From the onset, Kaizer Chiefs showcased their intent, controlling 69% of the possession in the first half and registering 11 attempts on goal, five of which were on target. Despite this dominance, they couldn’t find the back of the net.
In the early minutes, Sekhukhune United had a promising opportunity, but Chiefs’ goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma was quick off his line to neutralise the threat. Shortly after, Wandile Duba fired a shot over the crossbar, signalling Chiefs’ attacking ambitions.
Badra Ali Sangare, the Ivorian shot-stopper for Sekhukhune, was instrumental in keeping the scores level. He made a series of crucial saves, notably denying Duba in the 21st minute and parrying a long-range effort from George Matlou in the 41st minute.
Second Half: Tactical Changes and Turning Points
The second half saw Sekhukhune United reorganise defensively, limiting Chiefs’ clear-cut chances. Coach Lehlohonolo Seema utilised all five of his substitutes by the 71st minute, aiming to bolster his side’s resilience.
Mfundo Vilakazi, introduced in the 59th minute, proved to be a game-changer for Chiefs. In the 79th minute, he nearly scored, only to be thwarted by another outstanding save from Sangare.
The match’s pivotal moment occurred in the 84th minute when Vuyo Letlapa received a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Vilakazi. Capitalising on the numerical advantage, Vilakazi found the far corner of the net in the 86th minute, securing all three points for Kaizer Chiefs.
Implications for the Standings
This victory propels Kaizer Chiefs to fifth position in the Betway Premiership standings, now just two points behind Sekhukhune United, who missed the chance to reclaim third place from Polokwane City. Chiefs were eager to reignite their top-three aspirations after a 1-0 defeat to Golden Arrows the previous Sunday, marking their second loss in three games this year.
Post-Match Reactions
Head coach Nasreddine Nabi expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, stating, “The boys showed character and resilience. We created numerous chances, and it was just a matter of time before we scored. Vilakazi’s impact off the bench was exceptional.”
On the other hand, Lehlohonolo Seema lamented the red card incident, noting, “Playing with ten men against a team like Chiefs is always challenging. We had our game plan, but the dismissal disrupted our rhythm.”
Looking Ahead
Kaizer Chiefs will aim to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures, striving to secure a spot in the coveted top three. Sekhukhune United, meanwhile, will need to regroup and address the disciplinary issues that cost them dearly in this encounter.
Match Summary
• Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Vilakazi 86’)
• Sekhukhune United (0) 0
Team Line-ups
Kaizer Chiefs: B. Bvuma, N. Blom (Z. Kwinika 76’), I. Miguel, R. Dortley, B. Cross, S. Mthethwa, S. Zwane (N. Ngcobo 89’), T. Potsane (M. Vilakazi 59’), G. Matlou (Y. Maart 59’), P. Mmodi, W. Duba (R. Chivaviro 76’).
Sekhukhune United: B. Sangare, K. Mkhabela, T. Tshibwabwa, D. Cardoso, V. Letlapa, S. Mkhize, R. Mokhuoane (T. Monare 60’), K. Otladisa (T. Mokoane 46’), V. Mncube (L. Mntambo 46’), K. Makgalwa (E. Rammala 71’), A. Boyeli (C. Ohizu 71’).
Key Statistics
• Possession: Kaizer Chiefs 69% – 31% Sekhukhune United
• Shots on Target: Kaizer Chiefs 5 – 2 Sekhukhune United
• Fouls Committed: Kaizer Chiefs 12 – 15 Sekhukhune United
• Red Cards: Kaizer Chiefs 0 – 1 Sekhukhune United
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