Kaizer Chiefs have recorded a hat-trick of wins in the Betway Premiership after they defeated Orbit College 3-1 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Monday afternoon.
The Amakhosi added to victories over Durban City and Magesi FC in the second half of March, thanks to goals from Wandile Duba, Mduduzi Shabalala and Siphesihle Ndlovu – though they did trail for 20 minutes in the first half after the Mswenko Boys claimed a surprise lead via Mbulelo Wagaba.
The result sees Chiefs rise to third spot on the log, though they could be leapfrogged by fourth-placed AmaZulu FC, who host Sekhukhune United later on Monday. Orbit, meanwhile, have suffered three straight defeats in the league and remained in the relegation playoff spot (15th).
Orbit made a bright start and nearly claimed the lead in the sixth minute, with debutant Thabang Mahlangu turning smartly just inside the box before striking a low shot that had the beating of goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma, but not the upright.
The hosts deservedly went ahead midway through the first half, with Lebohang Lesako’s free kick from the left flank picking out Mbulelo Wagaba just beyond the far post. The attacker headed the ball back toward goal and saw his effort deflected into the back of the net by Bvuma for 1-0.
Chiefs dialled up their attacking intensity after the half-hour mark, and they were rewarded with an equaliser in the 42nd minute. Bradley Cross picked out Wandile Duba in the box, and the forward controlled with his right foot before getting away a quick volley with his left. Goalkeeper Cyril Chibwe got a hand to the effort, but not enough to prevent it rolling over the goal line for 1-1.
Level at the interval, the teams opted against any changes at the start of the second half, with the first chance going the way of Orbit’s Wagaba, who struck a volley across the face of goal in the 52nd minute.
On 66 minutes, the Amakhosi were presented with a golden chance to go ahead, as Chibwe rashly sprinted off his line to try and make an interception – Mduduzi Shabalala got his shot beyond the goalkeeper, but it travelled wide of the mark.
Just two minutes later, Shabalala made amends, providing a composed finish to an excellent passing move from the visitors down the right flank, which involved a pull-back from Thabiso Monyane and an intelligent dummy from Duba.
And in the 78th minute, Chiefs effectively ended the game as a contest when they went 3-1 up: substitutes Flavio Da Silva and Siphesihle Ndlovu combined slickly, with the latter latching onto the former’s flick and stabbing home a low drive from the edge of the box.
The teams will be back in Premiership action on Sunday, 12 April, with Orbit away to Marumo Gallants and Chiefs at home to TS Galaxy.
Orbit College (1) 1 (Wagaba 22’)
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 3 (Duba 42’, Shabalala 68’, Ndlovu 78’)
Orbit: Chibwe, Mkhabela, Mphalele, Jingana (Madiba 87’), Vilakazi, Motshwari, Potsana, Mabele, Lesako (Masangane 87’), Wagaba (Lukhele 87’), Mahlangu (Ralani 87’)
Chiefs: Bvuma, Monyane, Msimango, McCarthy, Cross, Ngcobo (Ndlovu 61’), Maboe, Shabalala (Chislett 69’), Mmodi (Da Silva 61’), Duba (Vilakazi 69’), Lilepo (Velebayi 82’)