Kaizer Chiefs secured back to back league wins after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United at FNB Stadium on an icy evening in Soweto.
With the cold front firmly hitting Gauteng this week, it was a miserable evening which showed in the attendance and display of football in the opening half at the Calabash.
Despite both sides coming in with opening day victories, the vistors, lead by former Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze set his side up compact and proved a cagey affair with Amakhosi not having answers and limited in chance creation.
And the game went into the break goalless with frustration bubbling up from the supporters who did make their way to Soccer City as every back pass and breakdown in play was met with collective groans and jeers.
And just after the hour mark, as Fernando da Cruz looked to his bench to make changes, with Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman poised to come off, the latter popped up with his first goal for the club.
After his third consecutive start in the league this season, the 20-year-old who won the Man of the Match award in their opening day win over Kruger United showed why he’s been so highly-rated.
With a perfect first touch inside the area after receiving a cut back from Dillan Solomons his finish was clinical beyond Zambia international stopper Toaster Nsabata to give them home side the lead.
Mduduzi Shabalala then converted ice-cold after a superb assist by Siphesihle Ndlovu to make it 2-0 in the 83rd minute.
And it sparked Amakhosi into life as they chased more from thereon – but lacked that cutting edge that also saw them eliminated from the MTN8 against Golden Arrows this past weekend.
Chiefs went on to secure the three points to make it six from two games, marking a tough return for Kaze to the dugout he called home last season.