Kaizer Chiefs maintained their flawless start to the Betway Premiership season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Polokwane City at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday night, thanks to a decisive late finish from Siphesihle Ndlovu.
Coming off a confident 2-0 victory against Stellenbosch in their season opener, Amakhosi were expected to control proceedings. But it was the visitors who started brighter, testing Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen early when Manuel Kambala unleashed a drive from distance.
The hosts grew into the contest, with Gaston Sirino curling a free-kick narrowly wide before Petersen was again called into action to stop Mokibelo Ramabu’s well-struck set piece. Chiefs’ closest chance of the first half came in the 35th minute when Glody Lilepo’s powerful header smashed against the crossbar, leaving the Polokwane defence breathing a sigh of relief.
After the break, coach Nasreddine Nabi introduced Nkosingiphile Ngcobo to inject more creativity, but the breakthrough remained elusive. Lilepo stayed lively, forcing a sharp save from Polokwane keeper Brian Bwire just before the hour mark.
The turning point came with a wave of substitutions. Pule Mmodi replaced Sirino, Thabo Cele made way for Ndlovu, and Monyane came on for Reeve Frosler. The changes sparked more urgency, and in the 79th minute, Ndlovu pounced inside the box, driving a low shot into the bottom corner to put Chiefs ahead.
Amakhosi had opportunities to seal the game, with Mmodi and Wandile Duba both missing the target late on. Polokwane nearly stole a point at the death, but Puleng Marema’s free-kick sailed just wide.
With back-to-back wins, Chiefs have made an assured start under Nabi, while Polokwane will rue their missed chances in a game they competed in until the very end.