Flávio Silva opened the scoring for Kaizer Chiefs before Wandile Duba struck twice after the break to hand new head coach Fernando da Cruz a winning league debut.
The newly-promoted hosts showed plenty of fight and pulled themselves level through Khethukuthula Ndlovu before halftime. However, Chiefs’ superior quality in the final third proved decisive as the Soweto giants collected all three points on the opening weekend.
FERNANDO DA CRUZ STARTS WITH A WIN
Amakhosi needed just six minutes to find the breakthrough. A well-worked passing move ended with Mfundo Vilakazi cutting the ball back into the penalty area, where Flávio Silva swept a first-time finish into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.
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The visitors continued to dominate possession with Ethan Chislett, Luke Baartman, and Vilakazi combining well in midfield. Despite the early pressure, Kruger United refused to sit back and gradually found their rhythm.
Their reward arrived just before the halftime whistle. Khethukuthula Ndlovu collected a long pass on the right, cut inside onto his stronger foot and curled a superb effort in off the far post to send the sides into the break level at 1-1.
KAIZER CHIEFS CLAIM ALL THREE POINTS
Da Cruz made an immediate change at halftime by introducing Wandile Duba, and the substitution transformed the match. The striker restored Chiefs’ lead in the 55th minute after finishing off another slick attacking move.
Duba doubled both his tally and Chiefs’ advantage 10 minutes later. The young forward capitalised on a defensive mistake before firing beyond the goalkeeper to make it 3-1 and put the result beyond doubt.
Kruger United pushed forward in search of a way back into the contest, but Chiefs remained organised defensively and comfortably saw out the closing stages.
The victory gives Da Cruz a dream start to life in the Betway Premiership, while Kruger United will take positives from a spirited performance despite falling to defeat in their historic top-flight debut.