Kaizer Chiefs returned to winning ways in the Betway Premiership after they edged 10-man Sekhukhune United 1-0 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday.
Nasreddine Nabi's side created the majority of the chances in Durban, but they had to wait until the 86th minute to make the breakthrough after Babina Noko had Vuyo Letlapa sent off, with substitute Mfundo Vilakazi scoring a late winner.
The Glamour Boys moved up to fifth position in the standings, two points behind their opponents, who missed out on the opportunity to retake third place from Polokwane City.
Mfundo Vilakazi steps up for Amakhosi as they win in Durban ✌️⚽#SSDiski | #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/ToN6LxSmiI
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 19, 2025
Chiefs were looking to get their top-three challenge back on track after slipping to a 1-0 defeat against Golden Arrows last Sunday which was their second loss in three games this year.
Meanwhile, Lehlohonolo Seema's side had beaten SuperSport United 3-0 that same day to continue their impressive run of good form with a fourth win in five matches.
Amakhosi bossed proceedings in the first half as they enjoyed 69 per cent of the possession and managed 11 attempts at goal, hitting the target five times.
But the visitors had the first sniff at goal after just three minutes when Bruce Bvuma raced off his line to snuff out the danger before the action quickly switched to the other end with Wandile Duba firing a shot over the crossbar.
Badra Ali Sangare was then required to make a superb save to deny the Soweto giants the opener on seven minutes and Duba also tested the Ivorian goalkeeper on 21 minutes after missing the target three minutes earlier.
Chiefs continued to push for the opener and George Matlou saw his long-range effort saved by Sangare on 41 minutes, while Tebogo Potsane was unable to round the keeper in the 45th minute after latching onto an exquisite pass from Matlou.
The hosts saw plenty of the ball in the second half as well, but Babina Noko were better organised at the back to limit their chances this time around as Seema used all five of his substitutes by the 71-minute mark.
Vilakazi looked to make an impact off the bench for the Glamour Boys when he tried to pounce from close range on 79 minutes, although Sangare produced another outstanding save to keep the score level.
Mfundo Vilakazi strokes the ball into the far post ✌️🟡
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 19, 2025
Kaizer Chiefs lead and we are deep into stoppage time 💪
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc @McDonalds_SA pic.twitter.com/FoHEuk4NzK
The Limpopo outfit were reduced to 10 men with six minutes left on the clock as Letlapa received a straight red card for a poor tackle on Vilakazi, who made them pay instantly with a shot that found the far corner of the net on 86 minutes.
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Vilakazi 86')
Sekhukhune United (0) 0
Kaizer Chiefs: B. Bvuma, N. Blom (Z. Kwinika 76'), I. Miguel, R. Dortley, B. Cross, S. Mthethwa, S. Zwane (N. Ngcobo 89'), T. Potsane (M. Vilakazi 59'), G. Matlou (Y. Maart 59'), P. Mmodi, W. Duba (R. Chivaviro 76').
Sekhukhune United: B. Sangare, K. Mkhabela, T. Tshibwabwa, D. Cardoso, V. Letlapa, S. Mkhize, R. Mokhuoane (T. Monare 60'), K. Otladisa (T. Mokoane 46'), V. Mncube (L. Mntambo 46'), K. Makgalwa (E. Rammala 71'), A. Boyeli (C. Ohizu 71').