Kaizer Chiefs survive late scare to beat Siwelele, remain unbeaten in PSL

Kaizer Chiefs survived a late scare from Siwelele FC to bag maximum points and end on the right side of a five-goal thriller at Dobsonville Stadium on a cold and wet evening in Soweto.

Chiefs’ 3-2 win over the Bloemfontein-based side took Amakhosi back to third place after five rounds – with just two points separating the Glamour Boys from reigning Betway Premiership champions, Orlando Pirates, who sit in second place.

Mamelodi Sundowns lead the pack with 16 points, but they have played a game more compared to the Buccaneers who are three points behind them.

Amakhosi stepped onto the pitch knowing that a win would move them close to the duo that has dominated South African football in the last four seasons.

Chiefs’ coach Fernando da Cruz didn’t have the headache he used to have when all of his leftbacks were out injured.

Da Cruz, however, still persisted with the 3-4-3 formation that he deployed to hide their problems there. The Frenchman started with three centrebacks – Zitha Kwinika, Thabo Moloisane and Inacio Miguel.

This formation gave Chiefs better defensive protection and more attacking impetus on the wings, allowing Dillan Solomons, Mfundo Vilakazi and Pule Mmodi space and freedom to trouble Siwelele on the flanks.

Amakhosi took the lead through utilising this space. Lebo Maboe played a well-weighted pass behind Siwelele’s back four, which was exquisitely timed for Vilakazi to lash on.

The Chiefs’ winger caught up with the ball and played a delightful dink over the helpless Siwelele goalkeeper Samkelo Xulu. Thabiso Sesane had tried to sprint for the ball that was approaching an open net, but Wandile Duba kept the centreback company, doing enough to protect Vilakazi’s strike without interfering.

The goal was a just reward