By Michael Madyira
Kaizer Chiefs needed a 4-3 win in a penalty shootout to lift the Cultural Urban Festival Africa (Cufa) Cup after a 0-0 draw in regular time against Marumo Gallants at Toyota Stadium on Sunday.
Both teams struggled to break the deadlock during the 90 minutes, and the game was eventually decided by penalties.
For Chiefs, a club that hasn’t won a major trophy in nine years, this victory could serve as inspiration for better results in the future, though it was an unofficial tournament.
The match itself was uncertain a few hours before kickoff due to a contractual dispute between Gallants and the organisers, but the game was confirmed to go ahead on the morning of the match.
Gallants were without first-choice goalkeeper Washington Arubi, who is on national team duty with Zimbabwe, and backup Daniel Akpeyi wasn’t picked. Kagiso Mlambo stepped in for Gallants while other players like striker Gabadinho Mhango and defender Sekela Sithole were also left out.
Chiefs, missing nine players due to injuries and international call-ups, had Inacio Miguel leading the team as captain. Coach Nasreddine Nabi gave starts to Bruce Bvuma, Given Msimango, Mduduzi Shabalala, and Samkelo Zwane.
Early in the match, Wandile Duba had a chance to score for Chiefs, but Mlambo did well to deny him. Shortly after, Mlambo stopped another shot from Christian Saile Basomboli. On the other side, Bvuma saved a shot from Siyabulela Shai for Gallants’ first opportunity.
Chiefs were forced to make an early substitution when Saile was injured and replaced by Mfundo Vilakazi after 30 minutes. In the second half, Shabalala almost gave Chiefs the lead but only managed to hit the side netting. Gallants’ Monde Mphambaniso shot over the bar, while Chiefs’ Reeve Frosler forced a save from Mlambo late in the game.
Bongani Sam made his Chiefs debut with eight minutes remaining, but couldn’t make a difference before the match went to penalties. In the shootout, Bvuma was the hero, helping Chiefs secure the Cufa Cup.
Pictured above: Kaizer Chiefs defender Reeve Frosler tries to keep possession in the Cufa Cup against Marumo Gallants
Source: Kaizer Chiefs
