by Dzudzie Faith Netshisaulu
Kaizer Chiefs continued their impressive start to the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season with a convincing 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United on a chilly Wednesday evening in Nasrec.
After a largely uneventful opening 45 minutes, the Glamour Boys raised the tempo after the interval, with Luke Baartman and Mduduzi Shabalala finding the back of the net to secure a consecutive league victory.
The opening half was a slow-burning affair, with the cold conditions seemingly contributing to a cautious start from both sides. Possession changed hands frequently and neither team managed to establish sustained control or create clear-cut opportunities.
Sekhukhune produced the first moment of danger in the fourth minute when Tshepo Mokoane burst down the right and attempted to catch Brandon Petersen at his near post. The Chiefs captain remained alert, however, producing a smart save to tip the effort over the crossbar.
Chiefs gradually looked to impose themselves on the contest, but Sekhukhune defended resolutely. Babina Noko, having conceded heavily in their previous outing, appeared determined to make amends with a compact and disciplined defensive display.
The visitors enjoyed some promising combinations in attack, particularly through Langelihle Phile and Asanele Velebayi on the flanks, with Baartman and Etiosa Ighodaro operating centrally. Despite the movement, Chiefs struggled to create a clear sight of goal.
Their first effort on target eventually arrived in the 41st minute when Lebohang Maboe unleashed a long-range effort that goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata dealt with comfortably. Baartman then tried his luck from distance during stoppage time, but the teams went into the break level at 0-0.
The second half brought a noticeable improvement in tempo, although the quality initially remained inconsistent.
Chiefs finally produced the breakthrough in the 63rd minute with a move that reflected the attacking intent they had shown after the restart. Dillan Solomons exchanged passes with Phili down the right before finding space to advance. His precise cut-back into the area was met by Baartman, who calmly swept the ball home to score his first league goal for Chiefs.
The goal opened up the game, with both sides creating more space and opportunities.
Sibongiseni Mthethwa was particularly influential in midfield, combining timely interceptions with intelligent distribution. He nearly helped Chiefs double their advantage when he produced a clever chip towards the far post following a quick counterattack. Substitute Mfundo Vilakazi had slipped behind the Sekhukhune defence but could not keep his volley on target.
Sekhukhune refused to surrender and came close to an equaliser in the 82nd minute, only for Petersen to produce an outstanding point-blank save to preserve Chiefs’ lead.
Two minutes later, Chiefs delivered the decisive blow.
Substitute Siphesihle Ndlovu picked up possession inside the centre circle and played a perfectly weighted pass through the heart of the Sekhukhune defence. Shabalala timed his run superbly, raced through on goal and kept his composure to guide the ball beyond Nsabata and inside the post, making it 2-0.
Chiefs pushed for a third in the closing stages. Vilakazi broke down the right and attempted to pick out Maboe with a cut-back, but the Sekhukhune defence intervened just as the midfielder prepared to shoot from outside the box.
Ighodaro also came close but fired wide as Chiefs comfortably saw out the remaining minutes.
The victory moves Kaizer Chiefs to the top of the Betway Premiership standings and extends their winning run to three matches. The Glamour Boys will now turn their attention to a blockbuster clash against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday, with the league leaders heading into the encounter full of confidence.
