Kaizer Chiefs have kicked off their Betway Premiership campaign in style, replicating last season’s strong opening by securing a composed 2-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC at Athlone Stadium on Sunday evening.
Early Red Card Shifts the Momentum
The match took a dramatic turn inside the first 15 minutes when Stellenbosch defender Siviwe Nkwali was sent off for a foul on Chiefs’ Mduduzi Shabalala just outside the penalty area. The free-kick that followed was expertly dispatched by Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, giving AmaKhosi the lead.
Despite Stellenbosch’s attempts to regroup, the scoreline remained unchanged deep into stoppage time. In the dying seconds, Chiefs were awarded a penalty, which Glody Lilepo calmly converted to seal a comfortable 2-0 result.
Echoes of Last Season’s Fast Start
The win sparked jubilant celebrations from Chiefs players and their travelling supporters. Yet, history offers a note of caution. Just like this season, Chiefs began their 2024/25 campaign with back-to-back wins under then-new coach Nasreddine Nabi. However, their momentum stalled in the third match, a 2-1 defeat to defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns a result clouded by officiating controversy.
Coach Nabi’s Absence and Early League Standing
This time around, Chiefs are navigating the opening stages without coach Nabi, who is currently in Tunisia attending to a family emergency. His return date remains uncertain.
For now, the Soweto giants can take pride in their early league position. Sitting third on the table after the first round of fixtures, Chiefs trail only Siwelele and Durban City. Sundowns, meanwhile, made an unusually slow start, being held to a draw by Chippa United.
Kaizer Chiefs Roaring Start
Kaizer Chiefs’ opening-day triumph over Stellenbosch FC has set a positive tone for the season, reigniting optimism among their passionate supporters. While past campaigns have shown that a strong start doesn’t always guarantee long-term success, this victory built on discipline, clinical finishing, and resilience offers a foundation the team can build on. With coach Nasreddine Nabi’s return still uncertain, the next few fixtures will be crucial in proving that AmaKhosi can maintain their momentum and turn early promise into a sustained title challenge.
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