SuperSport United (0) 0

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 4
(Sirino 32’, Maart 53’, Chivaviro 73’, Du Preez 90+4’)

Carling Black Label Knockout Cup, first round
New Peter Mokaba stadium, Polokwane

Kaizer Chiefs powered their way into the quarterfinals of the Carling Black Label Knockout Cup with a resounding 4-0 defeat of SuperSport United at the New Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane on Saturday evening.

Goals from Gaston Sirino, Yusuf Maart, Ranga Chivaviro and Ashley Du Preez provided a a fitting conclusion the 80^th birthday celebrations of revered Chairman, Dr. Kaizer Motaung, who reached the remarkable milestone this past Wednesday.

The opening half-hour saw both sides probe each other for weaknesses and attempt to establish their own patterns of play while disrupting their opponents’ progress. Mduduzi Shabalala, in particular, was causing confusion on the SuperSport ranks with his ability to find space and link up with Ranga Chivaviro and Wandile Duba. 

Amakhosi ought to have taken the lead in the 29^th minute when Sirino went on a mesmerising run up field, leaving SuperSport defenders in his wake before finding Reeve Frosler wide on the right. He crossed perfectly for Duba to meet it in the six-yard box but the youngster’s shot came down agonisingly off the crossbar and landed on, but not over, the line and SuperSport were able to clear.

Two minutes later, Chiefs were saved by the woodwork after Tashreeq Morris headed a corner against the post and into the grateful arms of Fiacre Ntwari.

Withing 30 seconds, Amakhosi were ahead. Samkelo Zwane found Sirino wide on the right and the twinkle-toed Uruguayan cut inside and struck a perfectly-placed shot past Ricardo Goss to send the crowd wild with delight.

Amakhosi had another golden chance to increase their lead in first half stoppage time following a lightning counter attack that saw Shabalala and Duba combine to set Chivaviro free on goal. The big striker did everything right, wrong-footing Goss but dragged his shot millimetres wide of the post, and the teams went into the break with Kaizer Chiefs leading by a single goal.

Amakhosi fans didn’t have long to wait after the restart for their heroes to go further ahead, as Maart rose to head home Sirino’s pin-point corner.

With the ever-maturing Zwane giving balance at the base of midfield, Chiefs were able to express their creative attributes and Bradley Cross and Chivaviro might have scored before the latter made amends for his earlier miss in the 73^rd minute, firing home Duba’s square pass to ut the result beyond doubt.

With a little over 10 minutes remaining, Gape Moralo was given his marching orders after picking up his second yellow card, leaving he home side bereft of any hope of recovery.

There was still time at the end for two substitutes to combine for a goal when Edson Castillo’s cheeky ball over the deflated SuperSport defensive line was expertly despatched by Ashley Du Preez, four minutes into time added on, to put the cherry on a delicious performance from Nasreddine Nabi’s team.

Line-ups:

Kaizer Chiefs: Ntwari (30), Frosler (39), Miguel (84), Dortley (14), Cross (48), Zwane (37), Maart ©(8) (Vilakazi (28) 76’), Shabalala (42) (Ngcobo (12 84’), Sirino (10) (Castillo (17) 76’), Chivaviro (7) (Du Preez (9) 76’), Duba (36) (Mmodi (13) 84’)

Subs not used: Bvuma (44), Msimango (25), Mashiane (19), Blom (6)

Coach: Nasreddine Nabi

SuperSport Utd: Goss (20); Mobbie(2), Rapoo (19), Sanoka © (4), Okon (13), Ndlovu (8) Poggenpoel 86’), Morris (14) Mangezi 72’), Moralo (38), Ayer (25) Lakay (24 61’), Pule (15) Jansen (21) 86’), Dzvukamanja (11) Mahlangu (45) 72’)

Subs not used: Mbanjwa (1), Baloyi (42), Mbangossoum (5), Hlatswayo (3)

Coach: Gavin Hunt