JOHANNESBURG – Kaizer Chiefs halted a two-game losing streak with a gritty 1-0 win over Magesi FC in a Betway Premiership clash at a rain-soaked FNB Stadium on Tuesday night.
This narrow but crucial victory reignited hopes of a late-season resurgence.
Substitute Ashley Du Preez emerged as the match-winner, but post-match discussions centered on winger Pule Mmodi’s missed opportunities and untapped potential, with coach Nasreddine Nabi insisting the 32-year-old is “a click away” from a Bafana Bafana call-up.
Chiefs grind past stubborn Magesi
Amakhosi made four changes to their lineup after losses to SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns, handing starts to Given Msimango, Njabulo Blom, Mfundo Vilakazi, and Ranga Chivaviro.
Despite dominating possession early, Chiefs struggled to break down Magesi’s compact defense. Chivaviro forced a sharp save from goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, while Reeve Frosler’s timely intervention denied Gift Motupa a clear chance on the counter.
Magesi grew bolder before halftime, with Tshepo Kakora rattling the post minutes after the break. Nabi responded with attacking substitutions, introducing Mduduzi Shabalala, Dillan Solomons, and George Matlou.
The changes paid dividends: Du Preez, who replaced Chivaviro in the 67th minute, slotted home two minutes later after latching onto a loose ball in the box.
Mmodi nearly sealed the win in stoppage time but saw his close-range effort cannon off the woodwork—a familiar frustration for the winger.
Nabi: “Mmodi can be a Bafana starter”
While the victory lifted Chiefs to eighth (28 points from 20 games), Nabi singled out Mmodi for praise despite his finishing woes. The former Golden Arrows man, yet to score in the league this season, has netted only seven times in 46 appearances for Amakhosi.
“We work with him on finishing because we believe that if he improves on that, he’s going to be a very good player,” Nabi told SowetanLive post match. “He’s a player that gives you a lot of things … defensively, 1 vs 1, attacking [he’s good]. It’s a click, when it clicks, we believe that he can even be a starter at Bafana.”
Nedbank Cup boost: Cele and Sirino return
Chiefs now shift focus to Saturday’s Nedbank Cup quarterfinal against Stellenbosch, where they’ll welcome back suspended duo Thabo Cele and Gaston Sirino.
Cele missed the Magesi clash due to yellow card accumulation, while Sirino served a two-game ban following his red card against SuperSport. Their return bolsters a squad seeking redemption in the cup after a middling league campaign.
Relegation fears loom for Magesi
For Magesi, the defeat leaves them 15th (17 points from 21 games), deep in the relegation mire. Their defensive resolve impressed, but a lack of cutting edge—evident in Kakora’s near-miss—underscored their struggles.
Final whistle
While far from a classic, the Kaizer Chiefs vs Magesi clash offered glimpses of Amakhosi’s resilience and unresolved potential. For Nabi, the challenge remains converting promise into consistency—especially in front of goal. As Mmodi’s late strike off the post symbolised, Chiefs’ season hangs on fine margins.
With the Nedbank Cup now pivotal, Saturday’s clash against Stellenbosch could define their campaign—and Mmodi’s bid to prove his coach right.
NOTE: The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has confirmed dates, venues, and kick-off times for the 2025 Nedbank Cup quarterfinal fixtures.The much-anticipated matchups are scheduled for the weekend of March 8 and 9—2025.
