Kaizer Chiefs Edge Siwelele In Five-Goal Thriller To Maintain Unbeaten Start

Kaizer Chiefs returned to winning ways in the PSL with an entertaining 3-2 victory over Siwelele FC at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday.

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After consecutive draws against Mamelodi Sundowns and Richards Bay, Amakhosi needed three points to maintain their promising start to the new campaign. Fernando da Cruz’s men delivered, although two Siwelele goals ensured the result was considerably tighter than Chiefs would have wanted.

Mfundo Vilakazi opened the scoring after 30 minutes with a superb finish. Lebohang Maboe released the youngster behind the defence and, after spotting goalkeeper Samukelo Xulu well outside his goal, Vilakazi calmly lifted the ball over him to give Chiefs a deserved lead.

Chiefs had controlled much of the opening half and continued to threaten after the break. Wandile Duba eventually doubled their advantage in the 65th minute with arguably the moment of the match, producing an audacious backheel from Vilakazi’s delivery to score his third league goal of the season.

Siwelele responded almost immediately through Aphiwe Baliti, who pulled one back three minutes later to make it 2-1.

Amakhosi restored their two-goal cushion in the 76th minute. Substitute Faiz Abrahams curled a free-kick against the post, with the ball rebounding off Xulu and into the net for an own goal. Michel N’Guessan struck for Siwelele in stoppage time with his first touch in South African football, but the late goal wasn’t enough to deny Chiefs all three points.

Amakhosi Keep Building Momentum

The victory means Chiefs remain unbeaten after five PSL matches, with three wins and two draws giving them 11 points and third place in the standings.

There was plenty to like about the performance, particularly going forward. Vilakazi was influential, Duba continued his encouraging start to the campaign and Maboe helped Chiefs control the midfield and was ultimately named Man of the Match.

However, conceding twice against a Siwelele side still searching for their first league victory will give Da Cruz something to work on. Chiefs had opportunities to make the contest far more comfortable and allowed their opponents back into the game twice after establishing two-goal advantages.

Still, the bigger picture remains encouraging.

Five games into the season, Amakhosi are unbeaten and keeping themselves among the early frontrunners. After finishing their previous two matches with draws, Sunday’s victory was exactly the response they needed.

Next up is an away trip to Polokwane City on Saturday, where Chiefs will look to keep their unbeaten run going and continue applying pressure near the top of the table.