Kaizer Chiefs made history on Saturday, as they became the first South African club to win the 27-year-old Caf Cup Winners Cup with a 2-1 aggregate win over Inter Luanda in a fiercely contested final at Ellis Park.

Former president Nelson Mandela was not there to see the Naturena side make history but that did not deter the Glamour Boys from lifting the cup named after Mandela as they completed a hat-trick of cups.

Chiefs scored a vital 1-1 draw in the first leg away from home and 0-0 draw could have been enough to hand them the trophy. The Angolans did not trouble the home side, as they seemed content with their counter-attacks.

The score was 0-0 after regulation time and Chiefs could still have lifted the cup on away goals. But added five minutes in referee’s optional time seemed to have inspired Amakhosi who relentlessly attacked the Angolan goals.

Inter Luanda defender Francisco Caetano, who had a torrid afternoon trying to contain midfield sensation Jabu Pule, was penalised for bringing down Stanton Fredericks in the box deep in referee’s optional time and Patrick Mabedi stepped up to convert the spot kick.

An electrifying atmosphere and an enthusiastic crowd laid the foundation for Amakhosi who enjoyed more possession earlier in the game.

The final 30 minutes were probably the most tense as Chiefs frantically tried to put the ball past Inter keeper N’kombe without much success. Amakhosi supporters went on song as they tried to calm the nerves down.

While Inter battled to find their way to Brian Baloyi, Chiefs appeared wasteful as they missed countless opportunities. Another chance another missed opportunity for Chiefs in the 64th minute as Pule missed by inches in what appeared an obvious goal after he had created a lot of space for himself.

Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral, one of the most successful Amakhosi coaches, paid tribute to his heroes and said he was proud to bring the trophy home. “No one had given us a chance but we did it against all odds. At some stages we played with limited players and we still produced the results.

“Coming back to the game today, you could see from the first minute that my players were hungry for victory. We are happy to bring the trophy home,” said Ertugral.

Team captain Brian Baloyi said his side was now looking forward to a Super Cup clash against either South African side Sundowns or Alh Ahly of Egypt.

The Angolans cried foul and claimed Chiefs could have never won had it not been form the last-minute penalty. “I believe that Kaizer Chiefs won because the referee gave them a penalty which was never there,” said Inter Luanda coach Oliviera Gonclaves. “But I have to congratulate Chiefs and my players as well. I believe we lost in dignity.”

But the Angolan coach seemed to have missed the point as his team could still have lost had the game ended 0-0 as Chiefs scored a vital away goal in their 1-1 draw in Luanda.

Teams:

Kaizer Chiefs: 4-5-1 - Brian Baloyi, Marco Mthembu, Gary Goldstone, Cyril Nzama, Patrick Mabedi, Nhlanhla Kubeka, Thabo Mooki, Stanton Fredericks, Jabu Pule, Arthur Zwane, Justice Sithole,

Inter Luanda: 4-4-2 - Tocala N’kombe, Ezequias Adriano, Francisco Caetano, Marcos Hermenegildo, Kuzinga Mbaeinga, Musumari Riske, Esengo Nsele, Nelson Victorino, Patrick Mabika, Antonio Miranda, Luis Goncalve.

Referee: Gamal El Ghandour