Youssef hails luck, resilience as Chiefs beat Stellies

KAIZER Chiefs’ caretaker coach Khalid Ben Youssef revealed that luck played a crucial role in their success as they fought off a determined 10-man Stellenbosch side to run out 2-0 winners at Athlone Stadium on Sunday evening.

- HERMAN GIBBS

It turned out to be a memorable weekend for the Amakhosi, as they enjoyed a precarious yet triumphant Premiership victory, while their Gauteng rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, dropped points.

The match took an early turn in Chiefs’ favour when Nkosingiphile Ngcobo scored a stunning free-kick just 14 minutes into the game, shortly after Stellenbosch defender Siviwe Nkwali was sent off for a reckless challenge on Mduduzi Shabalala, who was goal-bound.

The numerical advantage might have seemed a gift for Chiefs, but they quickly realised that facing a side reduced to 10 men is never straightforward.

“It's tough to play against a team with a player who has been sent off because when you then score, our players think that the game is going to be easier,” Ben Youssef remarked.