Kaizer Chiefs Grind Past Sekhukhune to Go Top of the Betway Premiership

Kaizer Chiefs needed the best part of an hour to find a way through Sekhukhune United on Wednesday, but when the breakthrough came, it came twice. Luke Baartman and substitute Mduduzi Shabalala scored either side of the hour mark as Chiefs won 2-0 at FNB Stadium to move top of the Betway Premiership table, according to Afrik-Foot.

For long stretches, Fernando da Cruz's side struggled to unlock a Sekhukhune defence marshalled by Cédric Kaze, the former Chiefs co-coach making his first return to FNB Stadium since leaving the club, Afrik-Foot reported. The deadlock held until the 63rd minute, when Dillon Solomons cut the ball back low for Baartman to finish from close range, his first goal for the club.

Ndlovu unlocks the game late

Shabalala, introduced from the bench, doubled the lead in the 84th minute, according to Kick Off, sliding home after Siphesihle Ndlovu split the Sekhukhune backline with a defence-splitting pass. It was Chiefs' second win in two Premiership outings this season, and it came four days after they were eliminated from the MTN8 by Golden Arrows, Kick Off noted.

A crowded top of the table

The win put Chiefs on six points from two matches, two clear of Orlando Pirates, who were held to a 1-1 draw away at AmaZulu earlier on Wednesday. Tshepang Moremi had put the champions ahead inside seven minutes at Moses Mabhida Stadium, but Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya equalised from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time, according to Kick Off.

Mamelodi Sundowns sit third after a dramatic 3-2 win away at TS Galaxy on Tuesday. Brayan Leon's early penalty put the Brazilians ahead, Galaxy hit back to lead 2-1, and Sphelele Mkhulise struck twice in the closing stages, the second deep into stoppage time, to complete the turnaround, Daily Sun reported.

Chiefs will face the sternest test of their unbeaten start when Sundowns travel to FNB Stadium on Saturday, 15 August.