A 69th minute goal by Tlou Segolela saw the Amakhosi go down to a 1-0 loss in their Vodacom Challenge play-off match against their Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Thursday evening.

For most of the game until Pirates broke the deadlock the Amakhosi looked likely to open the scoring and move onto Saturday’s final against Tottenham Hotspur, Segolela’s second half goal put paid to Chiefs chances of retaining their trophy.

The Amakhosi did make a lively start to the game Lehlohonolo Major sent the ball over Senzo Meyiwa’s goal as early as the 7th minute, while Siphiwe Tshabala’s thunderous shot from distance four minutes later was blocked by a diving Meyiwa.

As the half way stage of the first half approached Musona was picked out by long ball from the half way line, inside the Pirates 18 yard area he managed to hop over Meyiwa and sent the ball goal wards. It took some great defensive work in the form of a Siyabonga Snagweni block to deny Musona handing Chiefs the lead.

Ten minutes before half time and perhaps Chiefs best opportunity of the game came when Musona’s powerful shot at goal from the left was palmed away by Meyiwa the ball fell to Siphiwe Tshabalala but he failed to connect cleanly with the ball and with the goal gaping he send the ball over the post.

On the stroke of half time Musona sent Dladla’s cross from the right into the side netting.

After the restart Chiefs substitutes Mandla Masango and Abia Nale combined well to get Masango in on goal but his final drive at goal lacked any real power to test Meyiwa who made an easy save.

Against the run of play Pirates grabbed the in the 59th minute, a cross by Cloete from the left was flicked backwards by a diving Thulasizwe Mbuyane who had just come on as a substitute.

The ball landed at the feet of Segolela at the opposite end, he pushed the ball forward before squeezing from a tight angle under Itumeleng Khune to put Pirates ahead.

After taking the lead Pirates put on the breaks and opted for a highly defensive approach which forced the likes of Masango and Nale wide their crosses although finding their way into the danger zone were covered by the Pirates backline.

Chiefs did hand Keegan Ritchie his first appearance for the club when he came on as a 62nd minute substitute for Zhaimu Jambo, Pirates will meet Spurs in the final at Coca Cola Park (Ellis Park) in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon.

Line Up’s:

Pirates: 1. Meyiwa, 4. Jele, 38. Cloete, 14. Lekgwathi, 21. Sangweni, 15. Jali, 20. Manyisa, 12. Mayambela (18. Mbuyane 58’), 7. Klate (5. Mabalane 74’), 23. Segolela (6. Ngobeni 83’), 9. Ndlulula (11. Doutie 65’)

Cautions: 9. Bongani Ndlulula (55’)

Coach: Julio Leal

Chiefs: 32. Khune, 2. Tau, 5. Isaacs, 3. Sweswe (4. Mashamaite 62’), 29. Jambo (13. Ritchie 62’), 8. Nengomasha, 6. Letsholonyane, 14. Tshabalala (11. Nale 46’), 9. Dladla (22. Masango 46’), 20. Majoro (10 Yende 46’), 21. Musona (26. Khune 76’)

Coach: Vladimir Vermezovic

Assistant Coach: Donald ‘Ace’ Khuse


Assistant Coach: Arthur Zwane


Goalkeeper Coach: Rainer Dinkelacker