Molefi Ntseki finally celebrated his first DStv Premiership win in charge of Kaizer Chiefs after they beat AmaZulu 3-0 at the FNB Stadium on Saturday evening.
A goal in each half from new signing Pule Mmodi put Ntseki’s side in the driver’s seat before Edson Castillo sealed the win late on to lift the mood among the club’s demanding supporters.
The Glamour Boys moved up to 11th in the standings, two points adrift of the top eight as they leapfrogged Usuthu (13th) in the process.
Neither team had managed a win yet this season, although AmaZulu were still unbeaten after drawing their opening three games against Royal AM, SuperSport United and Richards Bay, while Chiefs looked to bounce back from two consecutive defeats to Mamelodi Sundowns and TS Galaxy.
The hosts couldn’t have asked for a better start though, as they hit the front just four minutes in. Tebogo Potsane’s initial shot was blocked, but the ball broke for Mmodi, who slotted home from inside the area to open his account for his new club.
The early goal spurred the Soweto giants on and Mduduzi Mdantsane lined up a shot from range that sailed over the target in the 10th minute before Mmodi just cleared the crossbar with an effort on the left side of the box eight minutes later.
Pablo Franco Martin’s side grew in confidence as the first half progressed, with Wayde Jooste firing inches wide of the near post from an angle on the right in the 34th minute and Ethan Brooks dragged a shot narrowly past the left post following a corner in the 42nd minute.
Brandon Petersen ensured the Glamour Boys would take their slender one-goal lead into the break when he denied Tshepang Moremi from inside the area in the 45th minute.
There were a flurry of chances at both ends after the restart as Castillo steered a header wide of the right post from a 48th-minute corner before Zitha Kwinika headed a free-kick over the bar seconds later.
Riaan Hanamub then released Tshepang Moremi through on goal with a lovely ball over the top, but his strike flew over the target. The winger threatened again on 56 minutes when he forced Petersen into a save after being picked out on the left by Celimpilo Ngema.