It was a terrible moment – Isaacs
It was a terrible moment – Isaacs

Posted in Features, News on Apr 07, 2017.

“It was one of the biggest shocks of my career,” reflects former Kaizer Chiefs defender Dominic Isaacs about the 2-1 loss to Baroka FC in the 2011 Nedbank Cup quarterfinal. The Ga-Mphahlele outfit still played in the Vodacom League, the second division, at the time.

Amakhosi face Acornbush United in a Nedbank Cup Last 16 fixture. Sunday’s opponents play in the ABC Motsepe League, which was previously known as the Vodacom League.

Isaacs joined Chiefs in 2008, staying for four seasons. During that period, the strong defender won three medals: the 2008 MTN 8, the (early) 2010 Telkom Knockout and the (later) 2010 Telkom Knockout.

The Telkom Knockout was played twice in 2010 due to the World Cup in South Africa. Isaacs only played in the Telkom Knockout final win over Ajax Cape Town, which was held early in 2010. Chiefs won 2-1 and Isaacs was selected as the Defender of the Tournament.

Isaacs was in the starting line-up for the Baroka match played at Polekwane’s Peter Mokaba Stadium on 24 April 2011. On being kicked out of the Nedbank Cup, he comments: “We prepared for that match like any other. It was one of those days. We dominated the game, getting numerous chances, but they defended very well.”

Coach Vladimir Vermezovic had warned the players not to underestimate Baroka. “But that was obvious,” the former Glamour Boy reacts, “we were all professionals, never wanting to take it lightly against any team. Although we did know that with a team like Baroka, we needed to score one or two goals early on, to not give them an opportunity.”

Chiefs scored the opening goal in the 36h minute thanks to striker Knowledge Musona. Baroka, however, equalized from a corner just before the break. “That was a crucial moment,” Isaacs says.

Wave after wave of attacks in the second half didn’t result in a goal for the Amakhosi. To make matters worse, Baroka scored their second in the 90th minute, just when everybody thought that extra time was looming.

“It was a horrible feeling when we heard the final whistle,” Isaacs remembers. “We realised that there was nothing we could do anymore. It was very quiet in the bus and some players didn’t even eat dinner. It was a terrible moment.”

“This experience shows that one should always be vigilant,” Isaacs concludes, before wishing Amakhosi well for Sunday’s Nedbank Cup Last 16 clash against Acornbush United at Kabokweni Stadium on Sunday, 9 April (kick-off is at 15:00).

Tickets are sold at TicketPro outlets nationwide for R60. TicketPro outlets are located at Edgars, Jet, CNA and Postnet.

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