Kaizer Chiefs sink 10-man Stellenbosch to move ahead of Pirates and Sundowns

Kaizer Chiefs got off to a perfect start in the 2025-26 PSL season as they beat 10-man Stellenbosch FC 2-0 at the Athlone Stadium on Sunday.

Nkosingiphile Ngcobo scored the first goal after 15 minutes when he curled in a delicious freekick and it appeared like that is how it would stay but Chiefs were handed an opportunity to add a second one from the penalty spot late on.

Chiefs were fortunate early on when Stellenbosch were reduced to 10 men after Siviwe Nkwali was sent off for bringing down Mduduzi Shabalala.

Awu- i-Candyshop madoda 🍬

Nkosingiphile Ngcobo enters his name for the #BetwayPrem Goal of the Month with his first attempt on goal 🔥

📺 Stream on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc@McDonalds_SA pic.twitter.com/M05Hx0LLDQ

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 10, 2025

Shabalala had been put through on goal by Naledi Hlongwane but Nkwali clipped him and he was sent off for denying him a goalscoring opportunity.

However, after the goal, it is Stellies who looked more dangerous as they had three glorious opportunities that they did not take advantage of.

Stellenbosch miss key chances

Wandile Duba made a goal-line clearance when he headed out after Nigerian defender Enyinnaya Godswill had sent his header on target with Brandon Petersen beaten in the Chiefs goal.

Devin Titus then got past his markers and unleashed a ferocious shot from the left wing with only the woodwork coming to Chiefs’ rescue and the same happened again from Sanele Barns’ well-taken freekick.

By the break, the ascendancy was with the 10 men but after the interval, Chiefs thought they had scored the second one when Glody Lilepo got the ball into the net but he was flagged offside.

It was then end-to-end stuff from both sides with the two teams getting opportunities and not utilising and it appeared that Chiefs were headed for a 1-0 win.

Where does victory leave Chiefs?

However, former Chiefs man Ashley Du Preez had a hand in the second goal. In the final minute of time added on, Du Preez was on his bike when he got in the box and Omega Mdaka hit him as he attempted to clear the ball but missed.

Stellies concede a penalty in stoppage time 🚨

Omega Mdaka gave the referee no choice 👇👇#SSDiski | #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/uebMwfKtqp

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 10, 2025

‎The referee pointed to the spot and Lilepo stepped up, sending Sage Stephens the wrong way to wrap up the win.

Victory sees Chiefs move to second on the log with three points, same as Siwelele FC, Durban City, Marumo Gallants, Sekhukhune United and AmaZulu, who also won their opening matches, and ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns, who started with a 1-1 draw with Chippa United, and Orlando Pirates, who lost 1-0 to Sekhukhune on Saturday.

This was just Chiefs’ third opening day win in their last 11 seasons which gives fans belief that perhaps 2025-26 will be different.

Chiefs did it without coach Nasreddine Nabi who is on compassionate leave, having returned home, after one of his family members was involved in an accident.