Luke Baartman opened the scoring for Kaizer Chiefs in the 59th minute with a low first-time finish after a strong run and cutback from Dillan Solomons.
Mduduzi Shabalala sealed the win in the 84th minute, calmly finishing from Siphesihle Ndlovu’s excellent through ball. Sekhukhune had chances, but Brandon Petersen made a key save from Mojela to protect Chiefs’ lead.
Below is how it all happened…
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Game over. The referee blows the final whistle. Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 Sekhukhune United.
85′⚽️ Phili takes a powerful shot that sails narrowly wide.
64′⚽️ Vilakazi curls a shot but it deflects into Nsabata’s hands.
84′⚽️ Goal! Ndlovu delivers a wonderful through ball for Shabalala, who makes no mistake with a cool finish. Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 Sekhukhune.
81′⚽️ Big save! Mojela takes a snap shot in the box but Petersen was excellently positioned to stop it. It remains Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 Sekhukhune.
73′⚽️ Amakhosi on a quick counter attack, Mthethwa finds Vilakazi but his volley goes wide.
62′⚽️ Ramala beats Solomons but his cross is too close to Petersen.
59’⚽️ Goal! A great run from Solomons finds Baartman in the box who takes a first time low shot into the corner. Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 Sekhukhune.
59’⚽️ Ighodaro shoots from 18 yards but his effort sails wide. The score remains Kaizer Chiefs 0-0 Sekhukhune.
53’⚽️ Phili takes a snap shot but Nsabata saves.
51’⚽️ Amakhosi showing more urgency and playing on the front foot.
46’⚽️ Amakhosi knock a long ball to Phili but he fails to beat Mashiloane who clear for a throw in.
Second half kick offs!
HALF TIME: KAIZER CHIEFS 0-0 SEKHUKHUNE
45’⚽️ Half time. The referee blows the whistle for the break after three minutes of stoppage time. Kaizer Chiefs 0-0 Sekhukhune.
44’⚽️ Baartman takes a shot from 18 yards but it flies over the bar.
41’⚽️ Maboe takes a shot from distance but Nsabata makes a comfortable save.
38’⚽️ Frosler whips in a dangerous cross but Ighodaro is closed out by Babina Noko’s defenders.
30’⚽️ The visitors have move sat back into a deep block. The score remains Kaizer Chiefs 0-0 Sekhukhune.
21’⚽️ Amakhosi controlling the game but unable to open up Sekhukhune’s defence.
14’⚽️ Big chance! Velebayi gets behind Sekhukhune’s defence but his cutback fails to find Ighodaro in the box.
8’⚽️ Phili is caught offside after a lovely chip from Maboe. The score is still Kaizer Chiefs 0-0 Sekhukhune.
4’⚽️ What a save! Mokoena takes a great shot from the right, but Petersen parries for the corner.
2’⚽️ Sekhukhune launch the first attack but Miguel clears.
1’⚽️ Kick off. We’re underway at the FNB Stadium!
Kaizer Chiefs line up: Petersen, Solomons, Kwinika, Miguel, Frosler, Maboe, Mthethwa, Velebayi, Ighodaro, Baartman, Phili
SUBS: Leaner, Monyane, Nkgwesa, Moloisane, Ndlovu, Mmodi, Da Silva, Shabalala, Vilakazi.
Sekhukhune United line up: Nsabata, Mashiloane, Matsimbi, Cardoso, Letlapa, Khupe, Mkhize, Khiba, Mokoena, Rammala, Ndlovu.
Subs: Buthelezi, Mcaba, Mobbie, Ndlozi, Tlaka, Ramabu, Vandala, Mahlangu, Mojela.
The match kicks off at 19:30 at FNB Stadium, with Kaizer Chiefs playing their second game in just 72 hours after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Golden Arrows in the MTN8.
The biggest storyline will be the return of former Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cédric Kaze. The Sekhukhune United coach returns to FNB Stadium, where he recently worked.
Kaze could hardly have asked for a better start with Sekhukhune United. He has won both matches in charge, beating Durban City 1-0 in the Betway Premiership before securing a dramatic 4-3 extra-time victory over AmaZulu in the MTN8 quarter-finals.
CÉDRIC KAZE RETURNS TO CHIEFS
The Babina Noko are unbeaten under Kaze and will arrive with plenty of confidence. They will also believe they can take advantage of a Kaizer Chiefs side still recovering from their disappointing MTN8 defeat.
Kaze has admitted that facing his former club will be an emotional occasion. However, his focus will be on extending Sekhukhune United’s unbeaten start rather than the emotions surrounding his return.
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KAIZER CHIEFS UNDER PRESSURE
For Kaizer Chiefs, the quick turnaround leaves little time to dwell on the Golden Arrows defeat.
Coach Fernando Da Cruz is expected to rotate his team, with several changes likely as Amakhosi look to respond immediately in the Betway Premiership.
A victory would give Chiefs the perfect response. But Sekhukhune United have already shown under Kaze that they will be difficult to beat.
