MATCH UPDATES
⏱️ 90′ The final whistle goes. It ends Kruger United 1-3 Kaizer Chiefs at the Mbombela Stadium.
⏱️ 80′ Free kick for Kruger around the 20 yard area. Seedat’s shot is saved by Petersen.
⏱️ 74′ Yellow card. Baartman is booked after an illegal challenge on Nel.
⏱️ 73′ Baartman takes a powerful shot from the left but a solid save is made by keeper Dandjinou.
⏱️ 65′ Goal! A loose ball inside the box falls for Duba before he steaded himself to finish with his left. Kruger 1-3 Kaizer Chiefs!
⏱️ 58′ Long break as medical staff make their way to attend to Monyane.
⏱️ 56′ Goal! Frosler’s shot is spilled by the keeper, before Duba volleys into the net from six yards. Kruger 1-2 Kaizer Chiefs!
⏱️ 46′ The second half is underway. Amakhosi create the first attack. Chislett whips in an inviting cross but it lands behind Duba.
SECOND HALF: KUGER UNITED 1-1 KAIZER CHIEFS
⏱️ 45 + 2′ Half time. The referee’s whistle sends the two sides into the tunnel. Kruger United 1-1 Kaizer Chiefs!
⏱️ 45′ Goal! Khethukuthula Ndlovu curls in a perfect shot past Petersen. Kruger United draw level just before the break.
⏱️ 44′ Yellow card! Ndlovu is booked after a rough tackle on Matime.
⏱️ 34′ Baartman bursts forward and picks out Vilakazi, who wins a free-kick on the edge of the box after being brought down. Vilakazi steps up, but the Kruger United wall blocks his effort.
⏱️ 32′ Makhubela finds acres of space to shoot from 18 yards but the effort balloons over the bar.
⏱️ 27′ A Seedat cross finds Mphothe, whose first time shot in the box goes straight into the hands of Petersen.
⏱️ 20′ Ndlovu takes a long range shot on his left boot but it flies wide. The score remains Kruger United 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs!
⏱️ 16′ Kruger win a corner kick after great work on the right from Mphothe. The dangerous corner flies across the goal mouth without any Kruger players getting on the end of it.
⏱️ 12′ Amakhosi win a corner kick after great work from Baartman on the left. Maboe’s kick finds Vilakazi but he is closed down before taking the shot.
⏱️ 7′ Goal! Seedat’s tackler on Vilakazi results in a loose ball to Silva, who finishes with a first-time finish from eight yards. Kruger United 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs!
⏱️ 1′ Amakhosi launch an early attack. Chislett’s dangerous cross is intercepted before Silva could attempt a shot.
15:00 KICK-OFF! WE’RE UNDERWAY AT THE MBOMBELA STADIUM!
Kick off has been delayed until 20:15.
Kruger United starting line up: Dandjinou S (GK), Mohamme K (C), Sibiya S, Matima M, Seedat E, Makhubela N, Nel M, Ndlovu K, Malatjie B, Mphothe A, Thwala N.
Substitutes: Tshabalala, Saralina, Mahlangu, Tevengwa, Fakude, Makhubela, Mkhonza, Zwane, Ndlela.
Kaizer Chiefs starting line up: Petersen, Monyane, Kwinika, Miguel, Frosler, Maboe, Ndlovu, Chislett, Da Silva, Baartman, Vilakazi.
Substitutes: Leaner, Solomons, Nkgwesa, Moloisane, Mthethwa, Ngcobo, Mmodi, Ighodaro, Duba.
Also read: Appollis and Moremi seal Orlando Pirates’ first win of the season
KAIZER CHIEFS START NEW CHAPTER
Kaizer Chiefs begin the Betway Premiership season under new head coach Fernando da Cruz, who replaces Nasreddine Nabi. The Glamour Boys have strengthened their squad with Thabo Moloisane and Adolf Mtasingwa Bitegeko, and will be targeting a winning start.
KRUGER UNITED MAKE HISTORY
This will be Kruger United’s first-ever Betway Premiership match after winning the Motsepe Foundation Championship last season. The hosts have added experience through Katlego Mohamme, Kwanda Mngonyama, and Thabang Sibanyoni, while Fiacre Ntwari is available to face his parent club Kaizer Chiefs during his loan spell.
Kruger United are expected to sit deep and threaten on the counter, while Amakhosi will look to dominate possession and dictate the tempo. Although the visitors start as favourites, newly promoted teams often make life difficult on the opening weekend.