Kaizer Chiefs continued their perfect start to the Betway Premiership season with a 1-0 win over Polokwane City on Wednesday evening.
The host restored Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Wandile Duba and Gaston Sirino to the starting eleven following the victory over Stellenbosch FC on Sunday.
Chiefs didn’t have a comfortable opening as goalkeeper Brandon Petersen was needed to show his resolve and palm a speculative shot from Manuel Kambala.
Sirino looked to break the spirits of the buoyant visiting team with a free-kick on the edge of the area, but he failed to guide his effort on target.
Chiefs carved out the best chance of the first half ten minutes to the halftime break when a thumping header from Glodly Lilepo cracked against the woodwork.
The Amakhosi made a substitution at the interval and removed Mduduzi Shabalala to bring on Nkosingiphile Ngcobo.
After a slow opening to the second period, the host went close again when Lilepo picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area before seeing his shot saved by goalkeeper Brian Bwire.
Chiefs introduced more changes midway through the second half, as Siphesihle Ndlovu came on for Sirino and while Pule Mmodi returned from suspension to replace Thabo Cele.
The sustained level of pressure from the host paid off ten minutes from time when Ndlovu latched onto a lay-off from Reeve Frosler and fired into the bottom-corner for his first goal in Chiefs colours.
City looked for a quick response with substitute and long-serving Puleng Marema, but the Soweto giants were able to hold on and registered a second successive league win.
Confirmed line-ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen, Monyane, Cross, McCarthy, Miguel, Cele, Mthethwa, Shabalala, Sirino, Duba, Lilepo.
Subs: Ntwari, Frosler, Kwinika, Mako, Ngcobo, Ndlovu, Mmodi, Vilakazi, Du Preez
Polokwane City: Bwire, Manthosi, Motsa, Nkaki, Mvundlela, Kambala, Maphangule, Ramabu, Tshabalala, Letshedi, Dlamini
Subs: Makhavhu, Ramaja, Nikani, Mankga, Batlhabane, Sebone, Thobo, Marema, Mashiane
