Kaizer Chiefs silence Kaze’s Sekhukhune to pull away from Pirates and Sundowns

Luke Baartman and Mdududzi Shabalala scored in the second half as Kaizer Chiefs left it late to beat Sekhukhune United 2-0 and move top of the Betway Premiership table at FNB Stadium on Wednesday.

Chiefs laboured to break down Sekhukhune for over one hour and at some point, it looked like the match would end in a goalless draw.

However, Chiefs woke up from their slumber in the 63^rd minute when Baartman broke the deadlock. Following a swift move, Dillon Solomons brought in a good low cross which the young forward slotted home from close range for his first goal in Chiefs colours.

Ndlovu with sublime pass for Shabalala

After the goal, Chiefs kept asking the questions with Sibongiseni Mthethwa leading the charge from midfield and he nearly got an assist when he crossed well for Mfundo Vilakazi only for the forward to miss on the volley.

That did not deter Fernando da Cruz’s men as they still went in search for more. They finally got their reward when substitute Mduduzi Shabalala scored seven minutes from time.

Shabalala got the credits but his work was made easier by a great defence-splitting pass from Siphesihle Ndlovu who left the two Sekhukhune centre-backs dazed as he released the substitute.

Chiefs pull away from Bucs and Downs

Shabalala had the easiest of tasks as he rolled the ball into the back of the net for 2-0 to make the points safe for the Soweto giants.

With Orlando Pirates being held to a 1-1 draw by AmaZulu FC, Chiefs moved top of the table with six points from two games, two more than the Buccaneers and three better that Mamelodi Sundowns, who opened their season with a 3-2 victory over TS Galaxy on Tuesday.