Kaizer Chiefs secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United on Saturday evening to officially seal a CAF Confederation Cup place after climbing to 51 points in the Betway Premiership standings.
The result guaranteed Amakhosi a top-three finish, with AmaZulu no longer able to catch them even if Usuthu win their remaining two matches of the campaign.
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KAIZER CHIEFS STRUGGLE TO FIND RHYTHM
It was also another encouraging evening for Amakhosi, who finished strongly after a frustrating opening hour.
While the scoreline eventually looked comfortable, the match itself started cautiously with both teams showing plenty of respect for one another in the early stages.
The opening 20 minutes produced very little attacking quality as the game turned into a cagey midfield battle. Amakhosi had more of the ball at times but struggled to create clear openings against a disciplined Sekhukhune side.
The first real opportunity arrived in the 20th minute after Amakhosi won a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the box. Glody Lilepo stepped up but blasted his effort well over the crossbar.
A minute later Kaizer Chiefs carved out an even better chance when Pule Mmodi cut inside before sending a low curling effort narrowly wide of goal.
Gaston Sirino then tried his luck from long range in the 37th minute, forcing a save from the Sekhukhune goalkeeper as Amakhosi slowly started asking more questions before halftime.
The second half initially followed a similar pattern, although Sekhukhune came out with greater energy after the restart and managed to put the Glamour Boys under pressure without seriously troubling the defence.
Kaizer Chiefs should have taken the lead in the 51st minute when Sirino found himself completely free inside the box, but the Uruguayan scuffed his effort badly and sent the shot high and wide.
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TASHREEQ MORRIS BREAKS THROUGH LATE
As the half continued, the Soweto giants gradually took full control of the contest. Sekhukhune spent long periods pinned inside their own half as Amakhosi dominated possession and territory.
The only thing missing was quality in the final pass and finishing, with Chiefs repeatedly failing to turn dangerous moments into goals.
That frustration finally ended in the 86th minute.
Tashreeq Morris rose to the occasion to score his first goal for Kaizer Chiefs and finally break Sekhukhune’s resistance. Lilepo beat his man on the wing before an inch perfect cross was met by a Morris touch for the 1-0 lead.
Deep into stoppage time, Mfundo Vilakazi delivered a dangerous cross that found Glody Lilepo inside the area. The winger was brought down in the box, leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the penalty spot.
Vilakazi stepped up himself and calmly converted in the 90+2 minute to wrap up a 2-0 victory for Amakhosi.
The win not only secured third place for Chiefs but also confirmed their return to continental football through the CAF Confederation Cup after an inconsistent but improving league campaign.
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM KAIZER CHIEFS IN THE CAF CONFEDERATION CUP NEXT SEASON?
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