Kaizer Chiefs delivered one of their most convincing performances of the season on Easter Monday, coming from behind to beat Orbit College 3-1 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha and cement their place in the top three of the Betway Premiership standings.
It was never supposed to be straightforward, and for a while, it wasn’t. Mbulelo Wagaba gave the relegation-threatened Orbit side a shock lead in the 22nd minute, heading home from the far post after a free kick caused all sorts of chaos in front of Bruce Bvuma. The goal came moments after Given Msimango picked up a yellow card, adding an extra sting to the setback for Amakhosi.
But Chiefs kept their composure and continued to push forward with growing intent. The equaliser arrived in the 42nd minute when Bradly Cross threaded a precise through ball into the path of Wandile Duba, who showed real quality to swivel and volley home despite the ball kicking up off the surface. Cyril Chibwe in the Orbit goal got a hand to it, but couldn’t keep it out — and Chiefs went into the break level, having more than deserved the draw on the balance of play.
Kaizer Chiefs’ Betway Premiership Charge Gathers Momentum with Clinical Second Half
The second half was a different story entirely. Coach Khalil Ben Youssef introduced Siphesihle Ndlovu and Flavio Da Silva on the hour mark, and the double substitution unlocked the match. It gave Mduduzi Shabalala the freedom to play his natural game, and after going close twice in quick succession in the 63rd and 65th minutes, he finally found the net in the 67th minute.
The goal was as clever as it was composed. A cross from Thabiso Monyane arrived at the far side, and Duba played a cheeky dummy — letting the ball roll through his legs — leaving Shabalala with the simplest of finishes. It was the kind of goal that only comes from players with genuine understanding and confidence in each other’s movement.
Chiefs weren’t done there. Ndlovu put the result beyond doubt in the 78th minute with a perfectly placed right-footed strike from the edge of the area that gave Chibwe absolutely no chance. It was a finisher’s goal — calm, precise, and completely decisive.
Late substitute Ethan Chislett and Mfundo Vilakazi both came within a whisker of adding a fourth in the closing stages, but 3-1 was the final scoreline — and frankly, it could have been more.
The victory means Kaizer Chiefs now sit third on the Betway Premiership log with 39 points from 21 matches, two clear of fourth place and with a game in hand over the teams around them. Crucially, it’s their third consecutive league win, and the result completes a dominant double over Orbit College — Chiefs scored four goals in each of the two meetings between the sides this season.
For Orbit, the afternoon offered very little comfort. Still fighting against relegation, they showed early spirit but were ultimately outclassed by a Chiefs side that is beginning to look genuinely dangerous when it clicks. Pogiso Makhoye’s side will need to regroup quickly if they are to avoid the drop.
Next up for Amakhosi is a home clash against TS Galaxy at FNB Stadium on 12 April — a fixture that, given their current form, they will be firmly expected to win. With CAF competition qualification firmly in their sights, this Easter Monday result may well be looked back on as a turning point in their season.