Important information regarding cookies
By using this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Kaizer Chiefs crash out of Nedbank Cup
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Steve Komphela
Saturday Apr 21, 2018. 21:50
Kaizer Chiefs’ hopes of winning the 2018 Nedbank Cup went up in smoke at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night, as they succumbed 2-0 at the hands of Free State Stars.Stars got off to the perfect start and claimed the lead inside the opening 45 seconds, with Nyiko Mobbie providing a great cross from the right to find the unmarked Harris Tchilimbou, who easily headed home to make it 1-0 to the Free Staters.
Chiefs looked for a quick response, with Ryan Moon missing with two headed efforts from promising chances, while in the 11th minute the Soweto giants opened up the visitors’ defence to put Joseph Molangoane in on goal, but goalkeeper Thela Ngobeni came quickly off his line to close the winger down.
Ea Lla Koto continued to look dangerous in attack and on 34 minutes they doubled their advantage with a goal of similar style: this time it was left-back Patrick Phungwayo who provided a cross which was poorly judged by Daniel Cardoso, allowing Tchilimbou to chest the ball down before poking a shot past Itumeleng Khune for 2-0.
The Amakhosi almost pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time, with Bernard Parker nodding a right-wing cross back toward the near post, but the ball drifted narrowly wide of the target and was also just beyond the outstretched foot of Moon.
Stars wasted chances on the counter attack early in the second half, with wide men Sinethemba Jantjie and Goodman Dlamini both guilty of rushing their shots with only Khune to beat, while Chiefs half-time substitute Leonardo Castro contrived to head wide when completely unmarked in the 53rd minute.
The team in gold and black missed another wonderful chance in the 66th minute, as another sub, Dumisani Zuma, did great work to pull a low cross back from the left by-line, allowing Hendrick Ekstein a clear sight of goal from just a few metres out but he sent his shot almost straight at Ngobeni.
Chiefs continued to knock on the door and had another opportunity for Ekstein in the 78th minute, but again the Ea Lla Koto goalkeeper was on hand to deny the midfielder and keep his side in charge of the cup tie.
Stars held out to claim victory and will face either Mamelodi Sundowns or Maritzburg United – who meet in the second semifinal on Sunday afternoon – in the final on May 19 at Cape Town Stadium.
Kaizer Chiefs 0
Free State Stars (2) 2 (Tchilimbou 1’ 34’)
Chiefs: Khune, Cardoso, Mathoho, Masilela (Castro 46’), Molangoane, Katsande, Ekstein, Zulu (Zuma 38’), Tshabalala, Moon (Mphahlele 65’), Parker
Stars: Ngobeni, Mobbie, Mahamutsa, Keita, Phungwayo, Dlamini, Vilakazi, Masehe, Jantjie (Mashego 78’), Tchilimbou (Teyise 80’), Mthembu (Anas 90+3’)
COMMENTS
Sign in to comment