Johannesburg – Kaizer Chiefs kept their early-season challenge firmly on track with a 3-2 win over Siwelele FC at a rain-soaked Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday, 6 September 2026.
The result leaves the Soweto giants in third place on the Betway Premiership log with 11 points from five matches, still very much in contention behind early pace setters Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.
Mfundo Vilakazi opened the scoring in the 30th minute, racing onto a well-weighted pass from Lebohang Maboe before delicately chipping the advancing Samkelo Xulu.
Chiefs doubled their advantage in the 65th minute when Wandile Duba produced a brilliant back-heel finish from a Mduduzi Shabalala delivery, a strike already being talked about as a contender for goal of the season.
Siwelele responded almost immediately through Aphiwe Baliti in the 68th minute.
Substitute Faiz Abrahams then restored the two-goal cushion in the 77th minute when his free-kick cannoned off the woodwork and rebounded off Xulu for an own goal.
Deep into stoppage time, Michel N’Guessan pulled another back for the visitors, but Chiefs held on for the three points.
The victory extended Amakhosi’s unbeaten start to the campaign (three wins and two draws) and kept them within touching distance of the top two.
Coach Fernando da Cruz was pleased with the result but critical of his side’s defensive lapses.
“In the first half we created several chances but didn’t score enough. In the second half, Siwelele had two chances and scored two goals,” the Chiefs coach said after the match.
“We have an issue about that – we need to improve our defence and not give these chances to opponents.
“We lack leadership and character, personality in our defensive line – so we need to correct that and work a lot.
“We created so much and didn’t score, so after that you can make mistakes. We’re not clinical in the boxes, offensively and defensively.”
Despite the late drama, the win ensures the Glamour Boys remain firmly in the title conversation as the season gathers pace.
Disclaimer: This article was compiled using the AI tool Grok on X and may contain inaccuracies
