After a goalless first half, Wandile Duba opened the scoring three minutes after the restart before netting twice more in the space of three minutes from the 63rd minute to complete his hat-trick and secure a comfortable win for Kaizer Chiefs.
It was a welcome result after the club’s elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup at the hands of Red Arrows.
Chiefs were certainly up for the game in the opening exchanges, with Duba testing Rockets’ goalkeeper Melusi Mathebula with an early strike at goal.
Duba linked up with Sibongiseni Mthethwa to produce another good goal attempt, and Mathebula was again equal to the task.
Pule Mmodi fired over when well placed to score for the last real action of the first half.
There were some groans from the home fans at the half-time whistle, but they didn’t have to wait long to celebrate the first goal as Duba powered home a Mmodi cross minutes after the restart.
READ: Kaizer Chiefs eye Carling Knockout Cup after CAF Confederation Cup disappointment
Mfundo Vilakazi had a chance to double Chiefs’ lead, only to see his penalty saved by Mathebula, but Duba was there to fire home the rebound.
The inform attacker then completed the scoring when he picked up a super through ball from Rushwin Dortley to fire home past an advancing Mathebula.
The Rockets stopper was replaced by Sipho Maseti in the final ten minutes due to injury, by the substitute had little to do with the game already done and dusted.
Amakhosi substitute Flavio da Silva did, however, see his late shot come back off the base of the goal after he created time and space for a shot.