Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef has reacted to the missed opportunities in Wednesday’s Betway Premiership 1-1 draw against AmaZulu FC at FNB Stadium, addressing the mistake bymKhanyisa Mayo and the missed penalty by Glody Lilepo.
Usuthu went in front through Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya in the 21st minute before Mduduzi Shabalala replied for the hosts 11 minutes later. It was a dramatic first half which saw Glody Lilepo squandering an opportunity to thrust Amakhosi into the lead when AmaZulu goalkeeper Darren Johnson saved his penalty.
Chiefs almost beat the halftime whistle with a goal but Khanyisa Mayo involved himself in Pule Mmodi’s goal-bound ball to be adjudged offside by referee Thando Ndzandzeka.
Ben Youssef addressed the missed chances in the match and reflected on an evening where he felt Chiefs deserved to walk away as victors.
WHAT DID BEN YOUSSEF SAY ABOUT THE MAYO INCIDENT?
“In the first 30 minutes of the first half, we created a minimum of four chances to score,” Ben Youssef told SuperSport TV. “Then we conceded a goal due to missed focus, where we didn’t concentrate.”
“As I said for the players always, football is playing in small details. It’s very tough for the players mentally when you have a penalty and miss a penalty. But we continued to fight, we scored with [Mduduzi] Shabalala then we got another opportunity, we score. It was a goal, Mayo touched the ball to be offside.
“Also, in the second half, I think we deserved to win, deserved the three points. I feel happy about the performance, but the result it will come with time.”
CHIEFS TURN FROM PENALTY HEROES TO VILLAINS
For a second successive PSL match, Chiefs missed a penalty, having also witnessed Gaston Sirino’s kick being saved by Marumo Gallants goalkeeper Washington Arubi last week in the league.
But in-between those two league games, Amakhosi were heroes from the spotkick when they converted five penalties in a shootout against Angolan side Kabuscorp SCP to reach the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round.
Ben Youssef came to the defence of Lilepo and Sirino following their costly penalty misses, even though the failures from the spot saw Amakhosi drop crucial points.
“Lilepo last season scored three penalties, Sirino last season in the final of Nedbank Cup he scored a penalty,” Ben Youssef added.
“You know, penalties are a 50 percent chance also and you have to say congratulations to the keeper also, he saved the penalty, we have to continue to work.”
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