Kaizer Chiefs secure last spot in Nedbank Cup semifinals

Kaizer Chiefs secured the last spot in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals after they downed Royal AM with a 2-1 scoreline on Sunday evening at the Chatsworth Stadium.

The home side was the first to score through Samuel Manganyi while Chiefs secured the victory thanks to Thabo Matlaba’s own goal and Yusuf Maart’s penalty.

KAIZER CHIEFS SECURE LAST SPOT IN THE NEDBANK CUP SEMIFINALS

With this win, they joined Orlando Pirates, Stellenbosch, and Sekhukhune United who also booked their places in the last four.

As expected, it was a bright start for both sides as they were looking to grab the final spot in the second last stage of the competition.

As much as both teams were exerting pressure on each other, there was a distinct lack of chances for either team throughout the first ten minutes. The few that were created fell, in the main, to Arthur Zwane’s side.

Happy Jele was forced off early in the game after he was unfortunate to get a knock. The club’s captain Manganyi was brought on to replace the 36-year-old.

ROYAL AM OPENED THE SCORING THROUGH MANGANYI

The home side went ahead in the 27th minute when Shuane Mogaila swung in a corner kick from the left and the substitute Manganyi headed home after wriggling free of his marker in the small box.

AM kept on threatening everytime during the standard situations with the likes of Mxolisi Macuphu and Manganyi winning areal balls.

THABO MATLABA’S OWN GOAL EQUALISED FOR CHIEFS

In the 36th minute Amakhosi levelled matters when Matlaba scored an own goal, heading to his own net from Edmilson Dove’s long ball.

The match reached the interval with a 1-1 scoreline on the board.

Royal AM were in a good mood when they returned from half-time as they sought to catch Chiefs while napping.

However, moments later, Zwane’s troops regained momentum and started launching attacks. They nearly took the lead when Siyethemba Sithebe hit the crossbar after he unleashed a thunderous shot near the D-line.

Thereafter, Chiefs came back when Christian Saile Basomboli broke away and took a shot from close range but Xolani Ngcobo was on hand to stop the winger’s effort.

The match went to extra time after both sides failed to get the winner. It was a cagey start in the first 15 minutes with both teams creating minimal forward movements.

MAART RATTLED THE BACK OF THE NET FROM THE SPOT

In the 100th minute, the Soweto giants were awarded a penalty after Mduduzi Shabalala was brought down in the box by Ngcobo. Yusuf Maart stepped up and rattled the back of the net to put his side in front.

The home side tried to fight back but Chiefs kept on defending grimly until they secured the last whistle.

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