Kaizer Chiefs came from a goal down to produce one of their best performances of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season in a 3-1 win over Orbit College at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Gqeberha on Easter Monday.
Wandile Duba equalised in the dying minutes of the first half after Mbulelo Wagaba had given the hosts an unlikely lead, before second half goals from Mduduzi Shabalala and Siphesihle Ndlovu secured three well-earned points for Amakhosi.
Third place in the standings
The result, which completes a handsome double over the promoted side in which Kaizer Chiefs scored four goals in both matches, takes them into third place in the league standings, with 39 points from 21 matches, one point ahead of fourth-placed AmaZulu with two games in hand.
With both teams seemingly eager to return to action following the international break, the match got off to a brisk start as both sets of players showed determined intent from the off, the exuberance resulting in numerous free kicks in the opening stages.
After withstanding some early pressure from relegation-threatened Orbit, Amakhosi’s first effort at goal came in the 13th minute from a Glody Lilepo shot that flew just over of the crossbar.
Kaizer Chiefs were beginning to assert themselves in midfield as a platform from which to attack when they unexpectedly fell behind in the 22nd minute.
A yellow card for a foul by Given Msimango was compounded when Orbit scored from the resultant free-kick when Mbulelo Wagaba headed home from a tight angle at the far post as it bounced awkwardly in front of Bruce Bvuma.
Amakhosi continued to press forward, now with a greater sese of urgency and they were rewarded for their endeavours in the 42nd minute.
Bradly Cross played a precision through ball to Duba who, as the ball kicked up off the turf, swivelled to strike a volley that Cyril Chibwe’s attempted save could not prevent from rolling into the goal and Kaizer Chiefs went into the half-time interval, at the very least, deservedly level at 1-1.
Raised their intensity
Sensing the opportunity to capitalise on their equaliser and push for all three points, Amakhosi raised their intensity in the second half, particularly after the introduction of Ndlovu and Flavio Da Sliva on the hour mark.
It freed Shabalala to express his undeniable talents, which produced a shot that was saved from Chibwe in the 63rd minute and another that went close in the 65th.
He wasn’t to be denied what he has felt is a long overdue goal three minutes later when he found the net off a Thabiso Monyane cross with a fine finish that followed a cheeky dummy by Duba, who let the ball roll through his legs to reach Shabalala.
Amakhosi now had their tails up and went in search of the goal that would essentially deny Orbit College a way back into the game, and it duly arrived in the 78th minute courtesy of a consummate finish from Ndlovu, whose perfectly placed right-footed strike from the edge of the box beat Chibwe to put Kaizer Chiefs 3-1 ahead.
Close to a fourth goal
Two substitutes, first Ethan Chislett in the 83rd minute and then Mfundo Vilakazi four minutes later, came very close to adding a fourth for rampant Amakhosi.
Yet, 3-1 is how it ended, marking Kaizer Chiefs’ third Betway Premiership win in a row which keeps them on track to qualify for CAF competition next season.
Next up is a home fixture against TS Galaxy at FNB Stadium on Sunday, 12 April.
Kick-off is at 15:00.
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