Kaizer Chiefs came from behind to edge Siwelele FC 2-1 at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, securing a spot in the Carling Knockout semi-finals on Sunday night.
After Siwelele went ahead through Siyabonga Ndebele 11 minutes into the contest, Chiefs beat the half-time whistle when Wandile Duba converted from the penalty spot. Substitute Asanele Velebayi then grabbed Amakhosi’s winner with six minutes remaining.
Following their win, Chiefs join rivals Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Stellenbosch FC in the semi-finals of the beer cup.
FARPost looks at five key talking points from the encounter.
1. CHIEFS’ MINOR CHANGES AFTER SOWETO DERBY DEFEAT
Chiefs went into Sunday’s encounter fresh from their Soweto Derby defeat to Orlando Pirates the previous weekend. The Soweto giants’ coach Fernando Da Cruz handed defender Rushwin Dortley his second game of the season in place of Inacio Miguel. Dillan Solomons stepped in for Reeve Frosler at right-back.
2. MTHETHWA SLACK MARKING ALLOWS NDEBELE FREE HEADER
Da Cruz could have an issue with Sibongiseni Mthethwa for not jumping enough to challenge Ndebele from heading in a corner kick delivery from Manelisi Mazibuko. While Ndebele rose highest, Mthethwa’s reaction was just a lackadaisical jump, giving the Siwelele centre-back no trouble in executing.
3. SHABALALA MISSES FROM THE PENALTY SPOT
As Chiefs thought they were about to hit back after Siwelele had taken the lead, they were disappointed when Mduduzi Shabalala blazed his effort over the bar from the penalty spot. Mfundo Vilakazi had done well to win the Soweto giants a penalty in the 37th minute after he was fouled inside the box by former Orlando Pirates attacker Vincent Pule.
4. ANOTHER PENALTY FOR CHIEFS, NEW TAKER
Amakhosi were awarded another penalty in first-half stoppage time. Ndebele turned villain after bringing down Shabalala inside the box. Duba stepped up, took responsibility, and beat Ricardo Goss in goal for Siwelele.
5. DA CRUZ’S SUBSTITUTES COMBINE TO WIN IT FOR CHIEFS
The Frenchman brought in Velebayi for Shabalala in the 75th minute. It took nine minutes on the pitch for the former Cape Town Spurs man to strike his first-ever goal in Chiefs colours.
He was set up by another substitute, Flavio da Silva, who had come on in the same minute as Velebayi to replace Duba. The winning goal justified Da Cruz’s impact substitutions.
KWAYIBA LATE STRIKE SEALS SEMIS SPOT FOR STELLENBOSCH
Meanwhile, former Orlando Pirates star Sinoxolo Kwayiba struck deep into stoppage time to help Stellenbosch register a narrow 2-1 victory over AmaZulu FC at Danie Craven Stadium.
Chumani Butsaka put the Cape Winelands ahead in the 28th minute before Gopolang Taunyana’s own goal brought Usuthu back into the game five minutes later. But Kwayiba had the final say, scoring seven minutes into stoppage time.
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