Shabalala stars as Kaizer Chiefs thrash Orbit College to move level with Sundowns 

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Shabalala stars as Kaizer Chiefs thrash Orbit College to move level with Sundowns 

Kaizer Chiefs moved level on points with Mamelodi Sundowns and ahead of Orlando Pirates following a comprehensive 4-1 win over Orbit College on Tuesday.

In a totally dominant performance from the Glamour Boys, it was their academy graduates who did the job with Mduduzi Shabalala scoring twice before setting up Mfundo Vilakazi for the third and Flavio Silva for the fourth.

It took Chiefs just three minutes to open their account when Thabiso Monyane made a good run on the right before a lovely cut back in the box which was swept home by Shabalala.

There was not much in terms of chances until the 31st minute when Bradley Cross floated in a good ball in the box but Etiosa Ighodaro failed to find the target after chipping over the Orbit College goalkeeper.

After the break, Ighadaro had Chiefs’ first chance but did not connect well with the ball after a good run in the box as the opportunity was wasted.

Goals galore in the second half

Amakhosi should have been 2-0 after 50 minutes when Shabalala found Monyane with a good pass but the full-back wasted the opportunity.

Asanele Velebayi of Kaizer Chiefs against Orbit College. Photo – Kaizer Chiefs

There was another wasted chance from Chiefs two minutes later, when Vilakazi forced his way into the box but missed his chance, while Thabo Cele had a ferocious shot on the edge of the box that went wide.

Chiefs’ second goal would arrive on the hour mark when Sibongiseni Mthethwa drove forward and took a shot which hit an Orbit College defender and Ighodaro fired back from the rebound.

The Nigerian saw his shot come off another defender but Shabalala was there to slot home this time for his and Chiefs’ second of the game.

Thabiso Monyane. Photo – Kaizer Chiefs

However, there was a scare for Chiefs when Orbit College pulled one back a few moments later, Ayanda Lukhele jumping highest to power home a header past Brandon Petersen.

How did Chiefs turn on the style?

With 18 minutes left, Chiefs scored the third with a moment of quality. Shabalala found Vilakazi and the winger turned the ball on his left foot before curling in a beauty into the top right corner.

Orbit College had another chance in the 76th minute when a goal mouth melee ensued with Petersen forced into two quick saves but they hammered the final nail in the visitors’ coffin in the 89th minute.

Mfundo Vilakazi. Photo – Kaizer Chiefs

Substitute Gaston Sirino made a good run forward and passed to Shabalala but the winger did not control the ball well for his hat-trick although he still found his balance to pass the ball to another substitute Flavio da Silva, the new signing having an easy tap-in for 4-1.

It was the biggest win of the season for Chiefs and the second time they have scored two or more goals this season since beating Stellenbosch FC 2-0 on the opening day.

Chiefs are now second on the table on 22 points from 11 games, same as leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who are only ahead on goal difference and three more than Orlando Pirates.  

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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