Vilakazi Scores A Late Winner As Chiefs Beat Sekhukhue

Mfundo Vilakazi’s stunning late curler in the dying minutes stunned the Moses Mabhida crowd and helped Kaizer Chiefs edge out Sekhukhune United 1-0 in a cagey Betway Premiership encounter in Durban on Sunday afternoon.
Hosting their second consecutive game at their alternative home venue, Amakhosi sought to rebound from a 1-0 defeat to Golden Arrows at the same ground last Sunday.
The Soweto giants were without head coach Nasreddine Nabi, who was suspended after being red-carded for dissent during his confrontation with match officials following the loss to Arrows.
The game began at a fast pace with Chiefs demonstrating clear attacking intent from the outset.
The Limpopo side appeared to be absorbing pressure from the home side in the early stages of the game, adopting a more conservative approach.
After winning the first corner of the game, the hosts came close to an opener when Rushwin Dortley’s brilliant header forced a reflex save from Badra Sangare in the 10th minute.
A golden opportunity in the 21st minute was squandered by Wandile Duba, who was beautifully set up by Pule Mmodi. Finding himself one-on-one with the keeper, Duba attempted a chip but was denied by Sangare, who reacted quickly to claim the ball.
The visitors registered their first shot on target in the 30th minute when left-back Vuyo Letlapa concluded a surging run with a dangerous long-range attempt that was parried away by Bruce Bvuma for a corner.
Sangare once again came to the rescue for his team, making another one-on-one save in the 45th minute. Tebogo Potsane capitalized on a wonderful through ball and made a bending run, but his shot was smashed straight at the goalkeeper.
The referee blew her whistle twice, signaling the end of a cagey first half with the two sides locked in a scoreless draw.
Babina Noko made two changes at halftime, replacing Katlego Otladisa and Vusimuzi Mncube with Tshepo Mokoena and Linda Mntambo in midfield.
The hosts responded with similar changes in the 59th minute, introducing captain Yusuf Maart and Mfundo Vilakazi in place of George Matlou and Mfundo Vilakazi.
Sekhukhune also made another midfield substitution during this interval, replacing Relebogile Mokhouane with Thabang Monare.
Another brilliant save was forced from the Sekhukhune shot-stopper after an excellent penetrating run inside the box by Vilakazi, who set himself up for a one-on-one but was denied by the keeper, who was once again well-positioned.
An off-the-ball incident in the 84th minute saw Sekhukhune defender Letlapa receive a straight red card for an illegal challenge on Vilakazi.
The Soweto giants quickly capitalized on their numerical advantage. Just a minute after the red card, substitute Vilakazi to-poked the curler past Sangare, finding the far post to give Chiefs the lead in the 87th minute.
The game immediately gained intensity after the goal, with both sides engaging in an end-to-end display in the final minutes.
After additional time had elapsed, the referee blew her final whistle, relieving the pressure on Chiefs, who had just ended Sekhukhune’s five-game winning streak dating back to November 2024.
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[…] off the bench to find the winner in the 84th minute to help Amakhosi clinch a victory over Sekhukhune at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on […]