A confident Kaizer Chiefs got their season off to the perfect start with back-to-back wins after a dominant 3-1 victory over an underwhelming AmaZulu side at an electric Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Kaizer Chiefs signalled their intent immediately from the first whistle as Nasreddine Nabi’s side played off the front foot with attacking intent.
Noticeable in the opening passages was the high tempo at which Chiefs played highlighted by sharp passing and slick patterns of play.
Chiefs’ attacking vigour was rewarded as early as the 11th minute as striker Ranga Chivaviro opened the scoring when converting a rebound from his own initial shot to send the Moses Mabhida crowd into raptures.
Just two minutes later, the Amakhosi faithful went from cheering to wild celebrations as attacker Gaston Sirino doubled their lead with a breathtaking effort from outside the area.
The Uruguayan picked up the ball before driving at a backtracking AmaZulu defence, then delayed and delayed before hitting an unstoppable curling effort into the near top corner.
Sirino, wearing the iconic number 10 Chiefs jersey is a player who seems of a befitting stature to don the famous shirt in a tribute to former Chiefs greats after scoring his first goal for the club.
Delight turned to pandemonium for the Glamour Boys as defender Inacio Miguel climbed highest to head home from a corner in the 23rd minute.
In a twist, the home side grabbed a goal back early in the second half as Etiosa Ighodaro scored to hand Pablo Franco Martin’s side hope in the 47th minute.
Chiefs largely controlled the match in the second half with AmaZulu creating little clear-cut chances.
Usuthu could count themselves unlucky not to score a second as Ighodaro hit the post with a header in the 80th minute.
Nabi made some defensive changes in the latter stages of the match as Given Msimago replaced Sirino to see out the result.
Amakhosi saw out the result to a delighted crowd as Chiefs recorded two wins on the bounce in a perfect start to their league campaign.
What will be pleasing for Chiefs fans is the drastic improvement in performances alongside their perfect start to the season. Also, all off-season signings seem to have greatly improved the team.
Rushine Dortley looks assured as centre-back, Bradley Cross looks confident at left-back while fellow defender Miguel is confident in leading the defence.
Njabulo Blom looks an astute signing with Sirino the jewel in the crown as the South American looks to be the potential inspiration behind any push for a trophy.
Chiefs next face defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium on Saturday in a highly-anticipated league clash between the two undefeated giants of local football.
Gaston Sirino's 1st Kaizer Chiefs golazo!🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/Hc9NWwY2q4
— El Capitano⚪ (@_izodlalaiTv) September 25, 2024
