Vilakazi’s late strike earns Chiefs victory over 10-man Sekhukhune

Mfundo Vilakazi’s late strike earned Kaizer Chiefs a victory over ten-man Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership on Sunday afternoon at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

The Phefeni Glamour Boys returned to winning ways after losing to Golden Arrows in their last match.

Amakhosi had to do without one of their key players, Mduduzi Shabalala, who has been crucial in the team’s attack this season. The young attacker sustained a knock in training during the preparations for this match. 

He was replaced by George Matlou while Chiefs made three more changes taking off Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Yusuf Maart and Mfundo Vilakazi for Rushwin Dortley, Samkelo Zwane and Pule Mmodi. 

Moreover, Khalil Ben Youssef was in charge of the Soweto giants with Nasreddine Nabi serving suspension after getting a red card in their last match against Golden Arrows.

The match commenced at a frenetic pace, with both teams eager to establish control early on. The first significant scoring opportunity fell to Dortley, whose header was expertly parried over the bar by Badra Sangara.

In the 21st minute, Wandile Duba squandered a golden opportunity to break the deadlock. Receiving a perfectly lobbed pass from Mmodi, he found himself one-on-one with the Ivorian goalkeeper but was denied from close range.

After the half-hour mark, Sekhukhune United began to find their rhythm, posing a greater threat to Chiefs as they sought to cause an upset. They mounted a couple of promising attacks, but their efforts failed to yield a breakthrough.

Chiefs came close to breaking the deadlock in the 41st minute, but Matlou’s vicious long-range shot was superbly saved by Sangare.

ATTACK-MINDED CHANGES IN THE SECOND HALF

Sekhukhune made attack-minded changes in the second half, bringing on Linda Mntambo and Tshepo Mokoane for Vusumuzi Mncube and Katlego Otladisa.

Meanwhile, Chiefs made a double substitution, introducing Mfundo Vilakazi and Yusuf Maart for Teboho Potsane and Matlou. Both teams continued to battle fiercely in midfield, but there was a spell where clear-cut scoring opportunities remained elusive.

In the 79th minute, Sangare produced another brilliant save, denying Mfundo Vilakazi after a clever pass from Maart.

Babina Noko were reduced to ten men after the defender Vuyo Letlapa kicked Vilakazi despite the referee having stopped the play.

Moments later, Chiefs eventually got the lead through Vilakazi. The young left-footer expertly navigated his way through the Sekhukhune defense and calmly slotted the ball past Sangare to steal maximum points.

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