Mphahlele stunner puts Chiefs into TKO semis

by Graeme Jackson

Sunday Nov 04, 2018. 17:07

Ramahlwe Mphahlele scored a brilliant goal to see Kaizer Chiefs defeat SuperSport United 1-0 in their Telkom Knockout quarterfinal in Durban on Sunday.

The result at Moses Mabhida Stadium sees the Amakhosi advance into the semifinals, joining Baroka FC, Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits in the draw.

Chiefs created the first chance of the match as early as the third minute, with Bernard Parker in space on the left of the penalty area, but his angle was quickly closed down and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made a brave block.

In the 16th minute the Soweto giants hit the frame of United’s goal, with a corner kick resulting in a loose ball in the box – Willard Katsande drove an effort through a crowd of bodies and onto Williams’ left-hand post.

The Zimbabwean midfielder struck the woodwork again in the 39th minute, this time seeing a penalty rebound off the underside of the crossbar. The spot kick had been awarded after Ramahlwe Mphahlele was tripped up just inside the box by Richard Boateng.

Yet mere seconds after the penalty miss, with United having failed to effectively clear their lines, Mphahlele scored a wonder goal, firing a swerving shot from a tight angle on the right flank – the ball was so sweetly struck that Williams had no chance, even at his near post.

United made a double change at the start of the second half, boosting their attack with the introductions of Thuso Phala and Evans Rusike, but they struggled to make clear-cut chances. Their first notable effort in the second stanza came from Aubrey Modiba in the 72nd minute, as he sent a low effort across the face of goal from a tight angle.

In fact Chiefs looked the likelier scorers when SuperSport began pushing players forward in a desperate attempt to get back in the game, allowing the hosts some promising moments on the counter attack.

In the end 1-0 proved enough for Chiefs, with the victory easing some of the growing pressure on manager Giovanni Solinas stemming from their indifferent league form.

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1 (Mphahlele 39’)

SuperSport United 0

Chiefs: Khune, Mphahlele, Ngezana, Booysen, Walusimbi, Katsande, Maluleka, Zuma (Ntiya-Ntiya 90+4’), Billiat (Cardoso 89’), Parker (Zulu 82’), Castro

SuperSport: Williams, Kekana, Khumalo, Daniels, Boateng, Mokoena, Letsholonyane (Rusike 46’), Ntshangase, Modiba (Mahlatsi 81’), Lungu (Phala 46’), Keene