Chiefs youngsters Mfundo Vilakazi and Mduduzi Shabalala marked the new era of coach Nasreddine Nabi with a goal each to give the Tunisian mentor a flying start to his reign as Amakhosi came from behind to beat Gallants 2-1 in their opening Betway Premiership match at a packed Free State Stadium last night.
Such was the hunger of Chiefs fans to see their beloved new-look club under heralded Nabi that the kick-off at the the sold-out venue was delayed by 15 minutes.
Shabalala, 20, and Vilakazi, two years his junior, responded to that love by rewarding their fans with well-taken goals in each half. The former fired a lovely lob from the D-line that hit the underside of the crossbar en route to goal, while Vilakazi finished off a well-crafted team goal.
Nabi showed his hand from the word go, starting with as many as five new players, who arrived at Chiefs at the same time as him.
In goal, Rwandan gloveman Fiacre Ntwari got the jersey ahead of Bruce Bvuma; the central defence pairing of Rushwin Dortley and Angolan Inacio Miguel were joined by new left-back Bradley Croos in defence, with Reeve Frosler at right-back, the only old player who kept his position.
Former Mamelodi Sundowns playmaker Gaston Sirino also got his debut and immediately linked well with Shabalala and Ranga Chivaviro in the lively first 45 minutes.
Sirino was the most impactful of the Chiefs attacking players, with 34 touches, passing well if not taking a shot himself in a first stanza in which the Uruguayan endeared himself to the Chiefs faithful.
Despite Chiefs starting better and forcing Washington Arubi to make a couple of good saves before limping off injured, Gallants broke the deadlock in the eighth minute when the Chiefs defence failed to clear. Christopher Sithole pouncing to beat Ntwari with a low shot which deflected off Miguel following a melee that ensued from a rare and quickly taken set piece.
While Chivaviro missed two early chances to punish his former club, Shabalala made no mistake when Gallants made a hash of a clearance. The Chiefs attacker was put through, and he floated the ball over the advancing Arubi to restore parity.
It was Arubi’s last act in the game as he limped off with a knee injury. He had made a couple of stupendous saves, including Cross’ point-black header that kept Dan Malesela’s team in the game. He was replaced by Daniel Akpeyi.
While there were a few moments of brilliance by a couple of Chiefs players, it was clear there’s still a lot that Nabi has to do to make them play like a well-oiled machine.
Though Chiefs looked a little stable, it is the missed chances that Nabi will be most worried about. He’ll, however, be encouraged that they created a load of chances in open play and earned some set pieces in good areas. It reinforces Nabi’s cry for a fine finisher.
Chivaviro should have put Chiefs ahead midway through the second half after being set free by Sirino, but his shot was blocked by Akpeyi and fell on Shabalala who shot wide.
Sirino had a great chance to bend his free-kick in with 15 minutes from time. This after Gallants were reduced to 10 men after former Chiefs player Joseph Malongoane was shown a red card for a foul on substitute Wandile Duba.
It was when Gallants were still trying to adjust to playing with 10 men that Vilakazi scored his first official goal in a competitive match for Chiefs. Duba made a good cross from the left and Yusuf Maart left the ball to run to the youngster, and he beat Akpeyi with a swift low shot just outside the area.
It was a deserved victory for Chiefs fans who packed the stadium to welcome their coach, but they will agree a lot still needs to be improved to be certain they’ve turned the corner.
Scorers:
Gallants - Christopher Sithole (8m)
Chiefs - Mduduzi Shabalala (17m); Mfundo Vilakazi (79m)
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