Siwelele FC ended Kaizer Chiefs’ unbeaten run in the Betway Premiership with a 2-0 triumph at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Wednesday evening.
The Amakhosi came into the clash on the back of a seven-game unbeaten run, but goals inside the opening half hour from Tebogo Potsane and Sphesihle Jeza brought that streak to a sudden halt.
The result – which also broke a four-game winless run for the team in green and white – saw Siwelele rise to ninth place on the log, now just three points off the top half. As for Chiefs, they remained in third place, five points clear of AmaZulu FC in the race for a slot in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
Siwelele started strongly and claimed the lead just seven minutes into the game, with former Chiefs man Potsane finding the back of the net.
Ghampani Lungu did fine work down the left flank before pulling a ball back for Manelisi Mazibuko – he fired an effort on target that was well saved by goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, but Potsane latched onto the rebound and turned the ball home for 1-0.
The hosts doubled their lead in the 26th minute, with Lungu again playing a pivotal role, as he burst free down the left channel of attack before unselfishly squaring for Jeza, who managed to squeeze a shot away under pressure from the recovering Aden McCarthy and Petersen to register his first senior professional goal and make it 2-0.
Siwelele had further half-chances to add to their lead, but went to the break fully deserving of a two-goal advantage. Chiefs, meanwhile, responded to their poor first 45 minutes by making a double change at the restart, as Flavio da Silva and Inacio Miguel were introduced off the bench.
The Amakhosi were much improved after the interval, with the early minutes seeing Wandile Duba denied by Ricardo Goss, while Lilepo was tripped up by Yandisa Mfolozi in the 18-yard area, but no penalty was awarded.
Chiefs were unable to fully harness this early momentum and had to wait until the 77th minute for another clear chance, with Lilepo whipping a shot on target from the edge of the box, but Goss acrobatically palmed the effort over the crossbar.
On 82 minutes the Soweto giants missed out on another great chance, with a corner kick picking out an unmarked Miguel, who headed wide with the goal at his mercy. This proved to be the last major event at either end of the field, with the hosts able to see out a deserved victory.
The teams will be back in Premiership action next midweek, with Siwelele at home to Durban City and Kaizer Chiefs away to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Siwelele FC (2) 2 (Potsane 7’, Jeza 26’)
Kaizer Chiefs 0
SIWELELE: Goss, Mobbie, Mfolozi, Sanoka, Rapoo, Margeman (Moralo 76’), Mokhuoane, Jeza (Ngwato 65’), Lungu, Potsane (Moloisane 86’), Mazibuko (Maku 76’)
CHIEFS: Petersen, Monyane, Msimango, McCarthy (Frosler 60’), Mako (Miguel 46’), Cele, Maboe, Shabalala (Velebayi 78’), Mmodi (da Silva 46’), Lilepo, Duba (Vilakazi 78’)