Kaizer Chiefs secure back-to-back wins to boost top-three ambitions

Kaizer Chiefs look to have finally turned a corner under the guidance of co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, securing their second consecutive Betway Premiership victory with a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Magesi FC at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Glamour Boys arrived in Durban buoyed by their recent 1-0 triumph over Durban City at FNB Stadium, and they wasted little time asserting their dominance against a struggling Magesi side. The victory propels Amakhosi to fourth on the log standings with 36 points from 20 games—a record consisting of 10 wins, six draws, and four defeats.

Crucially, Chiefs now sit just one point behind third-placed AmaZulu FC with two games in hand, placing them in a prime position to secure a CAF inter-club competition spot.

Duba and Vilakazi fire Chiefs past struggling Magesi

The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute through the enterprising Wandile Duba. After a sustained period of pressure, Makabi Lilepo turned provider, finding Duba on the right side of the six-yard box, where the youngster fired a right-footed shot into the top right corner to settle the nerves of the travelling supporters.

Magesi, rooted to the bottom of the table with just 14 points from 21 matches, struggled to find a way past Bruce Bvuma. Their best chances fell to Sifiso Luthuli and Kgothatso Mariba, but a combination of poor finishing and a disciplined Chiefs backline—led by Inácio Miguel and Bradley Cross—kept them at bay.

The hosts’ technical team looked to put the game to bed in the second half, introducing Gastón Sirino and Mfundo Vilakazi in the 61st and 62nd minutes, respectively. The tactical shift paid dividends in the 84th minute. Thabiso Monyane, who had only been on the pitch for eight minutes after replacing Dillan Solomons, delivered a pinpoint cross into the centre of the box for Vilakazi. The teenage sensation made no mistake, slotting a right-footed effort into the bottom right corner to double the lead and ensure all three points headed back to Naturena.

This resurgence marks a significant turnaround for the Soweto giants, who recently endured a bruising run of four consecutive defeats across all competitions. That slump had triggered heavy criticism and a march by disgruntled fans to the Kaizer Chiefs Village, but two wins on the trot appear to have quieted the calls for coaching changes.

For Magesi FC, the situation is becoming increasingly dire. Still four points adrift of safety, their stay in the top flight looks precarious as they continue to search for the consistency needed to climb out of the drop zone.