Kaizer Chiefs' Mfundo Vilakazi, front right, celebrates with teammates after scoring in their victory over Magesi FC.
Image: Backpagepix
Kaizer Chiefs made it back-to-back wins in the league for the first time since January after beating Magesi FC 2-0 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Amakhosi kept up their chances of CAF football next season as they moved into fourth on the Betway Premiership standings, whilst Dikwena Tsa Meetse remained rooted to the bottom.
The game began with high intensity but it took until the 31st minute for the first goal of the match, Wandile Duba with the breakthrough, assisted by Glody Lilepo.
Duba received a Lilepo diagonal pass near the box before breezing past his defender and chipping over the on-rushing Elvis Chipezeze for his first goal of the season. It took until the 84th minute and a second-half substitute for Chiefs to double their advantage as Mfundo Vilakazi killed off the match as a contest.
The 20-year-old did well to control a Thabiso Monyane cross before volleying with his weaker foot into the top corner with Chipezeze beaten again. Following AmaZulu’s win earlier in the day and their ascendancy into third place, The Glamour Boys had the added pressure of getting to within a point of Usuthu ahead of kick-off.
The race for third place, a CAF Confederation Cup spot, is expected to intensify in the final stretch with four teams still within range to secure it at this stage of the season.
Despite his impressive second-half cameo against Durban City, Asanele Velebayi had to start from the bench with Pule Mmodi, Duba and match-winner last time out, Lilepo, leading the attack. On the visiting end, a ten-game winless run weighs heavy on the shoulders of head coach Alan Freese as the relegation squeeze tightens.
Chiefs, as the favourites, showed the early intent as they took five or six shots at goal inside the first 15 minutes, something they’ve been accused of failing to do for much of the season.
The best of those fell for Lilepo, who was playing a centre-forward role this time. The Congolese attacker dropped a defender before attempting a shot inside the box, but defenders threw themselves at the ball for a block.
The opening half was all Chiefs in terms of initiative and chances, but Magesi did have flashes that would have the 20,000-strong crowd with hearts in their mouths. It was more of the same in the second half of this encounter as Chiefs continued to create chances but failed to bury them and the game itself, opening a window for a Magesi comeback.
In the end, Chiefs proved too much for their off-colour opponents and secured a valuable three points.
Amakhosi will now head into the international break on a positive note before they renew their campaign against Orbit College on the sixth of April. Whilst Magesi have a two-week break before they continue their fight for survival against Marumo Gallants on the seventh.