Kaizer Chiefs secured a 2-1 win over 10-man Stellenbosch to move level on points with second-placed Orlando Pirates as the race for CAF Champions League football heats up.
Amakhosi came racing out the blocks in a match that promised to entertain with two in-form sides in the league.
Stellies came in with six wins from their last seven games, while Chiefs were looking for five wins on the trot in all competitions and it’s what they secured at FNB Stadium.
They got the scoring underway through former Stellies star, Ashley du Preez, who made a reported R10-million switch to Naturena in the off-season.
Olwethu Makhanya brought down his former teammate in the area, before he dusted himself off and slotted home the opener confidently before celebrating in front of the Amakhosi faithful 11 minutes in.
And barely five minutes later, Stellies were down to 10-man as Sage Stephens handled the ball outside the area to deny the onrushing Keagan Dolly – which was the ninth red card for opposition against the Soweto giants in the 2022/23 season.
Dolly then got in on the action before the half-hour mark to double the lead with his effort deflected and heading into the bottom corner beyond substitute keeper Lee Langeveldt.
At that point, it seemed as if it were to be a case of how many goals Chiefs would score, as the supporters in attendance were rocking the Calabash with excitement, while the likes of academy products Mduduzi Shabalala and Samkelo Zwane turned on the style.
But in a fashion that depicted Chiefs’ season, they proved wasteful with their chances and in the opening minute of the second half, Stellies carved through their defence before Ibrahem Jabaar found the back of the net.
It sparked an end-to-end affair for the next twenty minutes but neither team tested the goalkeepers – but it wasn’t short of entertainment.
Three points were secured in the end for the home side as they moved to 40 points, level on points with second-placed Pirates and third-placed SuperSport United, who drew 1-1 with Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
