Christian Saile was the star of the show as he scored and assisted in Kaizer Chiefs’ 2-1 victory over SuperSport United in their DStv Premiership game at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday evening.
Chiefs drew blood first through Saile in the 19th minute from an Aphiwe Baluti’s deflection of Pule Mmodi’s cross, ending the club’s run of 425 minutes without a goal.
Saile had a chance in the opening five minutes but that attempt was tame as it landed in Washington Arubi’s hands. Amakhosi came into the encounter at the back of three successive defeats, having tasted victory last in early March.
There were chances for the visitors to get on the score sheet in the opening half with attempts from Shandre Campbell and Keenan Bezuidenhout, which Bruce Bvuma dealt with easily.
At the stroke of half-time Chiefs had a chance to extend their lead from a set-piece which Given Msimango headed home but was he flagged offside as they took a 1-0 lead into the break.
In the second half Gavin Hunt made three changes that had an immediate effect. Three minutes into the stanza Matsatsantsa had a shot at goal after Grant Margeman found Bradley Grobler who was denied by the cross bar.
A few moments later S’fiso Hlanti handled the ball in the box giving away a penalty that substitute Terrence Dzvukamanja slotted home to level matters in the 53rd minute.
With the match looking like it was going to end with both sides sharing spoils Saile set-up Mduduzi Shabalala who regained the hosts’ lead in the 76th minute with his first league goal of the season.
The result sees Cavin Johnson’s men back in the top half of the table, in eighth position with 33 points from 25 matches, while Matsatsantsa remained in sixth spot with 36 points from the same number of games. SuperSport are winless in seven matches and have four points from a possible 21 in 2024.