Written by: Kamogelo Mogale
Kaizer Chiefs got their 2025/26 betWay premiership campaign off to a good start with a solid 2-0 victory over a 10-man Stellenbosch FC at a sold out Athlone stadium on Sunday evening.
Nkosingiphile Ngcobo’s stunning free kick in the 15th minute and Glody Makabi Lilepo’s 90 minute penalty sealed the deal for Amakhosi, ensuring the Glamour Boys walked away with all three points.
Chiefs were without their head coach, Nasreddine Nabi, who had to travel to Tunisia after his wife was involved in a critical accident. In his absence, first assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef and second assistant coach Cedric Kaze took charge of the bench.
The Soweto giants capitalised on their numerical advantage, maintaining possession and putting on a superb defensive display against Steve Barker‘s side.
Devin Titus was unlucky not to draw matters level in the 24th minute as his shot beat Brandon Petersen but rattled the post before Sanele Barns also saw his free-kick come off the same post a few moments later.
In the second host, the hosts tried to assert their dominance but the visitors stood their ground. Wandile Duba missed a glorious chance to kill off the game in the 64th minute, blazing his effort over after being played in by Shabalala.
Defender Aiden McCarthy was named player of the match, who put in a stellar defensive performance, making crucial interceptions, blocks, and clearances for Amakhosi. The 21-year-old, who previously captained the Chiefs DDC team, dedicated his Man of the Match performance, only his second start for the senior squad to coach Nabi and his father, Fabian McCarthy. The latter is a Chiefs legend who also played as a centre-back.
The Phefeni Glamour Boys will now shift their focus on their next appointment against Polokwane City, their first home game at the FNB stadium on Wednesday evening. With the first hurdle off to a good start with a victory, it remains to be seen if Chiefs will make it back-to-back victories.
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