Staff Reporter.
Kaizer Chiefs marked their return to action to the DStv Premiership with a 2-0 win over Sekhukhune United at the FNB Stadium on Sunday evening.
Chiefs leapfrog Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates into second place on the standings, behind pacesetters Mamelodi Sundowns who are 12 points clear.
Sekhukhune has now suffered back-to-back defeats, and after a lofty second place a few days ago, they have plummeted to sixth place.
Amakhosi were fully deserving of their lead at the break after dominating proceedings in the opening 45 minutes, although they should have scored more than just the one goal.
The hosts created numerous chances and had their first sniff at goal in the fifth minute when Nkosingiphile Ngcobo curled an effort inches wide of the post.
Daniel Akpeyi was called into action just three minutes later to make a routine save from Tshediso Patjie’s free-kick before the action quickly switched to the opposite end as Daniel Cardoso sent a volley over the crossbar.
Leonardo Castro then failed to test Toaster Nsabata with a snap-shot that flew wide of the mark on 17 minutes, while a rare foray up the pitch for the visitors three minutes later saw Thabo Rakhale also miss the target.
The Soweto giants were celebrating the lead on 25 minutes when Ngcobo lined up a shot from range that beat Nsabata and nestled into the back of the net.
Chiefs ramped up the pressure as the half drew to a close and Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya wasted the chance to double their advantage on 34 minutes when he flashed a volley wide of the goal.
Sello Motsepe passed up a golden opportunity to restore parity four minutes later with a header that cleared the bar and Castro almost made the Babina Noko defender pay for that miss when he attempted an audacious shot from a long way out that sailed over the goal on 41 minutes after spotting Nsabata off his line.
The pattern continued in the second half as Amakhosi remained on the front foot, with Njabulo Blom firing into the side-netting on 54 minutes and Castro steering a header off-target four minutes later after getting on the end of Bernard Parker’s free-kick.
Motsepe was presented with another chance for the visitors moments later, but his header went straight into the gloves of Akpeyi, while Kgaogelo Sekgota almost made an immediate impact off the bench when he drew a sharp save out of Nsabata on 72 minutes, with the rebound just evading Castro.
Chiefs finally made the game safe two minutes from time as another substitute, Nange, capitalised on a mistake from Nsabata to register his first goal of the season, with Ngcobo providing the assist.
Chiefs next play Royal AM in Chatsworth in a week’s time, and Sekhukhune will host SuperSport United on Saturday.
Other DSTV Premiership Results:
Stellenbosch FC 0 – 0 Maritzburg United.
Royal AM 0 – 0 Golden Arrows.