Kaizer Chiefs kick off campaign with victory against 10-man Marumo Gallants

The result also ensured a winning start for Amakhosi head coach Nasreddine Nabi, who took over in the pre-season looking get the Soweto giants back on track.

It was not a good beginning to the contest for Chiefs though after they went behind in the eighth minute when Sekela Sithole saw his effort deflect into the back of the net.

Amakhosi though showed a willingness to spring foward at any given opportunity and were rewarded when Mduduzi Shabalala equalised in the 17th minute.

The midfielder latched onto a long ball played by new signing Gaston Sirino and showed his composure by lobbing Gallants goalkeeper Washington Arubi.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns kingpin Sirino was looking influential in the middle of park and delighted the Amakhosi faithful with some silky touches in front of a packed crowd, with sold-out signs at the Toyota Stadium already going up three days ago.

Gallants though gave as good as they got and certainly did not take a step back with veteran mentor Dan Malesela pulling the strings in the technical area.

The game was fairly even until the home side were reduced to 10 men with 15 minutes remaining when Joseph Malongoane was given his marching orders by referee Masixole Bambiso.

That extra man seemed to light a new spark into Amakhosi and they went 2-1 ahead just three minutes after the sending off with teenager Mfundo Vilakazi getting the crucial goal.

Nabi's charges then saw out the remaining the 10 minutes and injury-time with minimal fuss to open their league campaign with maximum points.

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