Chiefs Crash Out Of Confed Cup On Penalties
Kaizer Chiefs did everything but win the tie. Red Arrows survived a 90-minute siege at Moses Mabhida Stadium and beat Amakhosi 3-2 on penalties to book a debut Confederation Cup group-stage place.
Chiefs needed a goal to level the tie and got one through Bradley Cross. But the 1-0 win only drew the aggregate score at 1-1, and after the shootout it was Arrows who celebrated on Friday night.
Fernando Da Cruz had gambled before kick-off. Renaldo Leaner was out with a training knock, so Bruce Bvuma came in, and Mfundo Vilakazi was rested for an attack of Faiz Abrahams, Mduduzi Shabalala and Wandile Duba.
The changes had the desired effect on the scoreboard: Chiefs found the goal they had failed to create in Ndola, with Cross breaking Arrows’ resistance.
But the second goal that would have put them through never came. Arrows held firm, and with no away goals separating the sides, the tie went to penalties. Chiefs lost the shootout 3-2.
The result will pile more pressure on the Chiefs coach. Amakhosi were already winless in four matches in all competitions, and the exit adds to the doubts among some supporters.
Chiefs had also hoped to reach the group stage for a second successive season. For Arrows, it is a historic night.
They won the first leg 1-0 in Ndola through Alassane Diarra’s header from a corner, and they have now secured their first group-stage place in the competition.