Kaizer Chiefs continued their fine form with a convincing 4-1 win over Magesi FC in a Betway Premiership clash at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night.
Magesi were without suspended duo Kgothatso Mariba and Orlando Pirates loanee Siyabonga Ndlozi, while Chiefs made a change at the back with Miguel starting ahead of Given Msimango, who had featured in the previous two matches.
The hosts showed early intent, coming close from a corner with a header that sailed just over the bar. Thabang Sibanyoni then broke through on goal but fired wide, missing a key chance to give Magesi the lead. Their momentum took a knock in the 30th minute when Darpoh was forced off.
Chiefs capitalised soon after, with Fabio Da Silva breaking the deadlock in the 32nd minute. He continued to trouble the defence, forcing Elvis Chipezeze into a smart save with a long-range effort moments later.
Amakhosi doubled their lead in the 36th minute when Glody Lilepo won a corner following a strong run. Chipezeze came off his line but failed to claim, allowing Wandile Duba to slot home from range for his second goal in as many matches, giving Chiefs a 2-0 advantage at the break.
The visitors maintained their dominance in the second half. In the 59th minute, Thabiso Monyane found space in the box and unleashed a shot, but Chipezeze reacted quickly to parry it away. Monyane was then replaced by Reeve Frosler.
Mduduzi Shabalala made it 3-0 in the 62nd minute with a composed finish after smart build-up play. Magesi pulled one back in the 69th minute through Mofokeng, offering brief hope for Dikwena tša Meetše.
Khanyisa Mayo missed a clear chance in the 72nd minute but redeemed himself in the 82nd, heading home to restore Chiefs’ three-goal cushion at 4-1. Substitute Mfundo Vilakazi nearly added a fifth in stoppage time, but Chipezeze denied him at the near post.
Speaking after the match, Magesi head coach Alan Freese reflected on his side’s performance:
It is not a good result, but I thought for the first 30 minutes we did well, we even had a chance to score. The last game also when we lost, we worked on trying to find goals and it was the opposite today. So now I think we must work on the attack and on the defence, there’s nothing else I can say.”
Meanwhile, Chiefs co-coach Ben Khalil Yousef praised his team’s mentality:
I’m so proud about the performance and the spirit that we show on the pitch. Also I’m proud of the players coming back from injury because they gave us what we asked of them. We’re taking it game by game, and from the beginning of the season we said we’re treating every game as a cup game (because) every game is difficult for us”
The victory sees Amakhosi extend their winning streak to five matches. They will next face Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, 18 April (17:30).
Magesi, meanwhile, will look to bounce back when they host Durban City FC at Seshego Stadium on Sunday, 19 April, with kickoff also scheduled for 17:30.
Image By:DJ Brian Rikhotso