Nyiko Mobbie (left) and Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana (right). (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
Sekhukhune United claimed a famous 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday as Amakhosi’s 53rd birthday celebrations failed to ignite them.
The loss sees the Chiefs squander a golden opportunity to move into the top three on DStv’s Premiership tally, while Sekhukhune move as low as tenth after languishing near the relegation zone earlier in the day.
Chiefs started the game somewhat sloppily, with a long-range effort from Nkosingiphile Ngcobo going well wide.
However, Amakhosi gradually found his place and had a good chance to open his account on 15 minutes when a clever free-kick opened up a chance for Reeve Frosler.
HOW IT HAPPENED | Sekhukhune United 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs
Frosler’s shot was parried by Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana, who failed to take advantage of the loose ball.
Bimenyimana became a supplier to Keagan Dolly not long after, but the former Montpellier star was unable to find target after taking a tag from his teammate.
All the chances fell to the Chiefs and Yusuf Maart nearly put them ahead at the half-hour mark after hooking on a Dolly pass and firing his shot just wide.
Amakhosi continued to press hard as the first half wore on, with more chances for Ngcobo and Bimenyimana, but still the first goal eluded them.
Having failed to capitalize on any of their opportunities in the first half, the Chiefs had to pay just seconds into the second half.
Against the course of play, a mistake by Zitha Macheke handed possession to Vusumzi Mncube, who edged past Edmilson Dove before passing the ball to Itumeleng Khune to put Sekhukhune ahead.
Chiefs needed an answer, but it seemed that it was the visitors who gained confidence in their goal, as they suddenly began to enjoy much more possession.
The home team quickly regained momentum, but hopes that the second half would prove less frustrating than the first were fading fast.
Dove had an excellent chance to equalize from the edge of the box on 73 minutes, but the ball went wide by the narrowest of margins after taking a touch.
Meanwhile, Hlanti sent a diving header straight past the Sekhukhune keeper nine minutes from time after a cross went into the box.
As time ran out, the Chiefs were frantic in their search for an equalizer, raining crosses into the box, but to no avail.
In fact, Sekhukhune had a great chance to seal the game in the dying minutes of the match when Abednego Mosiatlhaga found himself alone with Khune to beat, and while the goalkeeper did enough to save the day, it didn’t change the final result as Sekhukhune emerged victorious. .
