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Sekhukhune stump Chiefs to go atop Betway Premiership standings

cricket16 September 2025 19:50| © Backpage TXT
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Bradley Grobler became the first player to unlock Kaizer Chiefs’ defence this season as Sekhukhune United continued their unbeaten start in the Betway Premiership with a 3-1 over Amakhosi at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

Grobler’s career tally now sits at 123 goals, with 12 of those coming against Amakhosi.

The 37-year-old striker bagged two goals and assisted Thabang Monare on his 36th birthday for Babina Noko’s third goal of the game.

Sekhukhune claimed first place on the log and sit two points ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns and three points ahead of Chiefs with 16 from six games.

Amakhosi were handed their first loss of the season and conceded their first goals of the 2025/26 campaign.

Chiefs made four changes to their line-up from their previous fixture as Aden McCarthy made his return from injury and new signing Flávio Silva was given the nod after scoring on debut.

Recent Bafana Bafana selections Mduduzi Shabalala and Thabiso Monyane started on the bench, replaced by Gastón Sirino and Reeve Frosler.

Babina Noko’s only change came at goalkeeper, with Toaster Nsabata in between the sticks ahead of Manuel Sapunga.

The hosts conceded their first goal of the season just five minutes into the match as Tsepo Matsimbi broke into the Chiefs box, squaring the ball for a sliding Bradley Grobler to open the scoring at the far post.

Chiefs drew level eight minutes later as Glody Lilepo’s cross from the byline could not be held by Nsabata and landed in front of Silva, who put the ball in the back of the empty net to score in his first start for Amakhosi.

The Portuguese national now has two goals in two games for his new side.

In the 25th minute, Keletso Makgalwa found Vuyo Letlapa charging into the box, but his effort sailed over the bar.

Silva tried to set up Pule Mmodi with a pass across the face of goal in the 34th minute, but Nsabata intercepted the ball before it could reach its intended target

Mmodi beat Matsimbi down the left hand side, finding Lilepo in midfield who rifled a shot from distance but failed to find the target in the 39th minute.

Chiefs captain Inácio Miguel recovered to make a brilliant tackle in his own box on Vusumzi Mncube in the 44th minute as the sides entered the break locked at 1-1.

Just like the first half, Grobler netted just five minutes after the restart as Chiefs failed to clear the ball effectively, allowing Ngoanamello Rammala to find his striker who turned and scored.

The visitors bagged their third of the game in the 56th minute as Thabang Monare capitalised on the counter attack, assisted by Grobler for a perfectly plated birthday present.

The Phefeni Glamour Boys struggled to bounce back and create chances in the last half hour.

In the 82nd minute, George Matlou tried his luck from distance but his effort was straight at Nsabata.

Sekhukhune will look to continue their run of good form as they host Lamontville Golden Arrows at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday.

Kaizer Chiefs kickstart their CAF Confederation Cup campaign on Saturday as they face Angolan side Kabuscorp S.C.P. in the first preliminary round at the Estádio 11 de Novembro in Luanda.

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1 (Silva 13’)

Sekhukhune United (1) 3 (Grobler 5’, 50’, Monare 56’)

Kaizer Chiefs: B. Peterson, P. Mako, A. McCarthy, I. Miguel, R. Frosler, S. Ndlovu (G. Matlou 74’), S. Mthethwa (W. Duba 63’), P. Mmodi (M. Vilakazi 74’), G. Sirino (M. Shabalala 63’), G. Lilepo, F. Silva (T. Cele 63’)

Sekhukhune United: T. Nsabata, B. Ndlovu, K. Letlapa, S. Mkhize, T. Matsimbi (D. Cardoso 77’), V. Mncube (S. Mahlangu 65’), T. Monare, M. Thokolo (S. Langa 46’), K. Makgalwa (M. Mogaila 65’), B. Grobler (S. Sihlali 77’), N. Rammala

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