Kaizer Chiefs got their Absa Premiership campaign off to a winning start with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Highlands Park at Makhulong Stadium on Sunday.

New signings Lazarous Kambole, Kearyn Baccus and Samir Nurkovic were all included in the Amakhosi starting line-up. Meanwhile, former Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot winner Rodney Ramagalela lined up for his Highlands debut.

Chiefs took the lead in the fifth minute when debutant Baccus swung the ball in to the near post for Lebogang Manyama, who glanced his header past the keeper and in to the far corner.

The Lions of the North were showing plenty of endeavour and came close in the 17th minute. Sphiwe Mahlangu played a one-two with Wayde Jooste in the box before poking an effort towards goal but it lacked power and was straight at Bruce Bvuma.

Owen da Gama’s side equalised in the 23rd minute. The ball was whipped in from the right-hand side to the back post for Peter Shalulile, who squared the ball back across goal and Ramagalela reacted quickest to tap in to the net.

Chiefs won a free-kick just outside the box on the right-hand side in the 32nd minute when Reeve Frosler was brought down by Bevan Fransman. Manyama delivered the set-piece to the near post and Nurkovic directed the diving header from an acute angle in to the side netting.

The hosts took the lead for the first time in the match in the 47th minute. Willard Katsande made a hash of his clearance and it fell to Lindokuhle Mbatha, whose shot deflected in to the feet of Ramagalela, who turned and fired in to the net in one motion from close range.

But Highlands’ lead was short-lived as the Glamour Boys equalised two minutes later. Bernard Parker swung the ball in to the box and Nurkovic headed it in to the path of Manyama, who curled the ball sublimely on the volley in to the far corner.

In the 67th minute, Nurkovic’s through-ball released George Maluleka down the left in behind the Highlands’ defence and he squared the ball to Dumisani Zuma, who fired an effort first-time towards the left-hand corner but it was brilliantly saved by a diving Heugh.

Chiefs restored their lead in the 82nd minute. Maluleka’s free-kick was headed out to Eric Mathoho, whose first-time volley deflected in to the back of the net leaving Heugh with no chance as he was already going in the opposite direction.

Mahlangu had a great chance in stoppage time to hand Highlands a share of the spoils, but the Lions of the North striker blazed over the bar when he really should have done better as Chiefs came away with the three points.

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

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