Kaizer Chiefs’ flying start to the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season remained intact after a hard-fought 1–0 win over Richards Bay at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday night. The victory marked Amakhosi’s third consecutive league triumph, keeping them joint top of the table alongside Sekhukhune United.
Sirino the Super-Sub For Kaizer Chiefs
The decisive moment came courtesy of substitute Gaston Sirino, who delivered instant impact after replacing Siphesihle Ndlovu. The Uruguayan maestro pounced midway through the second half, finishing off a sweeping counter-attack in emphatic style.
Richards Bay had been probing the Chiefs’ defence when Sirino intercepted possession. What looked like a harmless break suddenly turned dangerous as the ball was quickly shifted wide to Wandile Duba. The striker whipped in a low cross that Mduduzi Shabalala cleverly dummied, allowing Sirino to unleash a thunderous first-time strike that sailed over Salim Magoola and into the net.
Missed Chances in Front of Goal
It was a goal worthy of the points, though Chiefs could easily have secured a far bigger margin given their dominance. The Soweto giants fashioned a string of chances throughout the evening, only to be denied by wasteful finishing and Magoola’s resilience.
Glody Lilepo came close early in the second half when his downward header forced Richards Bay defender Lindokuhle Zikhali into an almost calamitous own goal. Moments later, Duba squandered a free header, directing it straight at the goalkeeper.
Chiefs had signalled their attacking intent from the start. In the 7th minute, Duba’s teasing cross eluded everyone in the box, before Lilepo tested Magoola with a ferocious long-range drive. The Congolese attacker combined well with Ndlovu soon after but blasted over from inside the area.
First-Half Frustrations and Injuries
Despite one-way traffic for much of the opening 45 minutes, the first half ended goalless. Chiefs were also forced into an early reshuffle when Aiden McCarthy limped off injured following a heavy challenge, with Zitha Kwinika replacing him and surprisingly taking over the captain’s armband from Miguel Inacio.
Richards Bay lost winger Thulani Gumede to injury just before the interval, while Chiefs used the break to unveil new recruits Etiosa Ighodaro, Asanele Velebayi, and Luke Baartman, who received a warm welcome from the home faithful after a drawn-out transfer saga.
Crowd-Pleasing Cameos
The biggest cheer of the night, besides Sirino’s match-winner, came when teenage sensation Mfundo Vilakazi was introduced late on. Though his trickery delighted the crowd, he could not add to the scoreline.
Still, the result ensured jubilation in Soweto, with players and supporters uniting in song at the final whistle. Chiefs’ perfect run continues, and they will be eager to build on this momentum as the season unfolds.
Tuesday Night’s Betway Premiership Results:
- Orbit College 0–3 Sekhukhune United
- Siwelele 0–1 Polokwane City
- Durban City FC 1–1 Golden Arrows
- Chippa United 1–4 TS Galaxy
- Kaizer Chiefs 1–0 Richards Bay
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