Kaizer Chiefs player Wandile Duba in action Kaizer Chiefs player Wandile Duba (pictured) was involved in one of the key moments of the match, that saw Marumo Gallants reduced to 10 men. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers
Kaizer Chiefs may have found a new star in the form of Mfundo Vilakazi as they came from behind to beat 10-men Marumo Gallants 2-1 in their opening match of the new Betway Premiership season at Free State Stadium on Saturday.
The 18-year-old scored the stunning winner with 11 minutes remaining, as Chiefs won their opening game of the season for the first time since their 2019/2020 campaign.
Chiefs were a goal down after eight minutes as their defence was caught napping, as Sekela Sithole fired in the shot before the ball took a deflection before finding the target (1-0).
Chiefs hit back in the 17th minute through a moment of brilliance from Mduduzi Shabalala as he was first to a loose ball hit back towards the Gallants goal, and from just outside the box the midfielder was able to get to the ball ahead of shotstopper Washington Arubi to lob the ball into the net (1-1).
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The turning point came in the 76th minute when Joseph Molangoane received his marching orders as he took out Chiefs’ player Wandile Duba. Molangoane received a straight red for fouling Duba just outside the box, and denying the Chiefs attacker an obvious goal-scoring chance.
Teenage sensation Vilakazi turned out to be the hero as he struck a cross into the corner of goal from the edge of the area, after a quick Chiefs counter attack in the 79th minute.
Last season Chiefs finished way down in 10th position on the table, and have since made a number of new signings and hired a new coach.
Nasreddine Nabi has the pressurised job as Chiefs coach and welcome the three points to start his tenure.
In the lead-up to the clash, Nabi said has called for patience and understanding from the normally volatile AmaKhosi fans.
Earlier in the day, Royal AM and Cape Town City drew 1-1 at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.