Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef admitted the team had to dig deep after overcoming Stellenbosch FC 2-0 in a tense Betway Premiership encounter on Sunday afternoon.
The match, played at Athlone Stadium, saw the home side reduced to ten men within the opening 20 minutes when Sivive Mkwali was shown a straight red card. Chiefs immediately took advantage, with Nkosingiphile Ngcobo curling in a well-taken free kick to hand Amakhosi the lead.
Despite being a man down, Steve Barker’s Stellenbosch side kept pressing and came close to equalising twice, both efforts rattling the woodwork before halftime.
Youssef admitted that his team was fortunate not to concede during that spell, saying the early goal and red card gave them momentum, but the Stellies’ response kept them on edge. “We suffered a bit in the first half… we had some luck,” he told SuperSport TV after the game.
Chiefs came back stronger after the break, creating multiple chances, with Wandile Duba and Glody Lilepo both squandering close-range efforts. The insurance goal eventually came in added time when Lilepo converted from the penalty spot.
Youssef, who stood in for head coach Nasreddine Nabi, also took a moment to send thoughts to Nabi and his family. The Tunisian tactician missed the match to be at his wife’s bedside after she was seriously injured in a road accident. “We are praying for the coach,” he said.
Amakhosi fans hoping to see the club’s new signings in action had to settle for just one debutant, right-back Thabiso Monyane. Notably absent from the squad were midfield addition Ethan Chislett, left-back Nkanyiso Shinga and striker Flavio Silva. Youssef indicated that fans would see more of them gradually as the season progresses.
On the other end, Barker acknowledged the uphill battle after going down to ten men so early. “We know red cards and penalties make it very difficult,” he said. “I thought our response was excellent. We were the better team in the first half… but it was a double blow to get a red card and concede.”
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