Kaizer Chiefs moved into third position on the Betway Premiership table after securing a 3-2 victory over Siwelele at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Sunday night.
The win ended a run of back-to-back draws against Mamelodi Sundowns and Richards Bay, with Mfundo Vilakazi, Wandile Duba and Faiz Abrahams getting on the scoresheet for Amakhosi.
Chiefs started brightly and dominated the opening exchanges, with Pule Mmodi and Mduduzi Shabalala creating early opportunities as Siwelele struggled to progress the ball out of their half.
The hosts eventually broke the deadlock in the 30th minute following a swift transition from their own half. Lebohang Maboe played Vilakazi through on goal, and the youngster calmly chipped the advancing goalkeeper to give Chiefs the lead.
Amakhosi continued to control proceedings before the break, limiting Siwelele’s opportunities and dominating possession.
Chiefs doubled their advantage in the 65th minute when Duba converted from a corner. Shabalala delivered the ball into the box, and Duba was in the right place to guide a flicked effort into the net.
Siwelele responded three minutes later through Aphiwe Baliti, who scored his first professional goal after his effort took a deflection on its way into the net.
The visitors were dealt another blow in the 77th minute when Chiefs restored their two-goal advantage. Abrahams curled a free-kick from an acute angle on the left beyond the goalkeeper to score his first goal for the club.
Siwelele refused to go down without a fight and pulled another goal back deep into stoppage time through second-half substitute Michel Nguessan, who finished into the top-left corner after a quick counter-attack.
Despite the late scare, Chiefs held on for maximum points and moved into third place.
Siwelele coach Lehlohonolo Seema felt his side showed significant improvement after the break, but individual errors ultimately proved costly.
“We scored two goals away against Kaizer Chiefs. We don’t have points. We conceded three,” Seema said after the match.
The coach acknowledged that his side were too slow when shifting defensively in the first half and did not apply enough pressure to Chiefs’ back three during their build-up.
Seema was, however, encouraged by his team’s response after half-time, saying they were more aggressive, took greater risks and showed they were capable of responding to tactical instructions.
He also highlighted the positive impact of his returning players and strikers, with the latter having been absent during the opening four matches of the campaign.
For Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz, the victory also demonstrated his team’s ability to adapt tactically.
Da Cruz explained that Chiefs can switch between a back three and a back four depending on the opponent and the profiles of the players available, particularly with injuries influencing his selection options.
He was pleased that his squad could operate effectively in two different systems, stressing that the team will not necessarily stick to one formation throughout the season.
Sometimes it will depend on the different parameters, but we will not play at five all the season,” Da Cruz said.
The victory gives Chiefs another boost as they continue their Betway Premiership campaign, while Siwelele remain in search of their first win of the season.