Sub Ndlovu strikes to give Kaizer Chiefs share of lead

Chiefs, promoted Durban City, Marumo Gallants and Sekhukhune United are the joint leaders with six points each. Mamelodi Sundowns, seeking a ninth straight league title, lie fifth, two points behind.

New signing Ndlovu came off the bench to slam a loose ball into the net from close range on a cold winter night at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg after visiting City failed to clear a cross.

In a match of few clearcut chances, Chiefs came closest to breaking the deadlock in the opening half when a header from Congolese Makabi Lilepo rebounded off the crossbar.

Chiefs secured maximum points in the absence of Tunisian head coach Nasreddine Nabi, who dashed to north Africa at the weekend after his wife was seriously injured in a fall.

"Teamwork won this match with attackers like Makabi dropping back to help us defend," said stand-in coach Cedric Kaze.

"We made five substitutions in the second half with the aim of speeding up play and I applaud Siphesihle for his clinical finish," said the Burundian.

Ndlovu was among three substitutes who scored match-winners on a night when five matches produced only six goals.

Bradley Grobler, a 37-year-old striker, came off the bench to score on 77 minutes and give Sekhukhune a 1-0 victory over bottom club TS Galaxy in Polokwane.

Joslin Kamatuka was another substitute to score, netting sith two minutes of regular time remaining to earn Durban a 1-0 win over Chippa United.

Ivorian Junior Dion struck on 82 minutes for Golden Arrows in a 1-0 victory over Richards Bay, who were suffering a second successive loss.

In the only match that did not end in a 1-0 home victory, Magesi and 2024-25 CAF Confederation Cup semi-finalists Stellenbosch drew 1-1 in Seshego.

Both goals came in the first half with Langelihle Phili putting the visitors from the western Cape ahead and Kgomotso Mosadi equalising.

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