Kaizer Chiefs got their 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign off to the perfect start thanks to a hard-fought win over a 10-man Stellenbosch FC side at the Athlone Stadium on Sunday.
Amakhosi handed debuts to Thabiso Monyane and development graduate Naledi Hlongwane, while Stellies also featured a new signing in Siviwe Nkwali.
Debut turned sour
Nkwali’s debut turned sour after just 13 minutes after received a straight red card for bringing down Mduduzi Shabalala on the edge of the box.
The situation worked in favour of the Amakhosi when Nkosingiphile Ngcobo stepped up for the resultant free-kick and powered his effort into the back of the net despite the best efforts from goalkeeper Sage Stephens.
And that’s the way the scoreline remained until deep into second half extra-time when Ashley du Preez was fouled in the box and Makabi Lilepo stepped up to convert the resultant penalty, giving the Glamour Boys a 2-0 win.
Kaizer Chiefs will next be in action against Polokwane City on Wednesday, 13 August at 19:30.
Starting line-ups
Stellenbosch FC
Stephens, Moloisane, Enyinnaya, Nkwali, Mdaka, Butsaka, Palace, Barns, Cupido, De Jong, Titus
Subs:Â Langeveldt, Mcaba, Khanyi, Nku, Lekoloane, Jabaar, Phili, Mojela, Khiba
Kaizer Chiefs
Petersen, Cross, McCarthy, Miguel, Monyane, Cele, Ngcobo, Shabalala, Duba, Lilepo, Hlongwane
Subs:Â Ntwari, Kwinika, Frosler, Mthethwa, Ndlovu, Mabaso, Vilakazi, Sirino, Du Preez
Has this performance given you renewed confidence in Kaizer Chiefs’ title chances this season?
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