Knowledge Musona’s solitary strike deep in the second half of extra time was enough to see The Amamkhosi through to the final of the Telkom Knockout Cup as they overcame the challenge of Santos to go through to the final of this competition for the ninth time since the inception of the PSL in 1996. Chiefs took another step towards defending the trophy they won last season.

The match looked headed for a penalty shoot-out when Siphiwe Tshabalala glided down the left wing evading two defenders before turning in a cross towards goal in the 116th minute which Santos keeper Tshepo Motsoeneng spilled into the path of Musona, who knocked the ball home to send Chiefs through to the final.

During regulation time Chiefs were almost gifted the lead in the ninth minute when Wayne Arendse diverted Musona’s cross from the left towards his own goal and it took a desperate dive from Motsoeneng to keep the ball out.

Sekou Camara tested Itumeleng Khune with a shot from distance half way through the first half the Chiefs keeper was able to make a routine save, just past the half hour mark Musona skipped past two defenders but over ran the ball as he came close to goal and Motsoeneng was able to easily pick up the ball.

On 38 minutes a miscommunication between Khune and Valery Nahayo allowed Camara to slip in but the Santos striker hit the ball wide and Chiefs were left off as the ball ran out for a goal kick.

Ten minutes after the restart Khune reacted quickly and made an acrobatic save on his goal line after a cross from the left had been sliced towards goal by Chiefs defender Thomas Sweswe, quick thinking from Khune helped keep the score goal less.

Both teams were creating chances at will Camara got goal side of Nahayo on 66 minutes with just Khune to beat he shot straight at the Chiefs keeper. Four minutes later Reneilwe Letsholonyane got his pile driver from 20 yards on target but it was straight at Moetsoeneng.

Three minutes for the end of normal time Musona missed gilt edge chance as, Tshabalala managed to send in a perfect ball from the left. Musona was able to get away from his marker but a few yards from goal he could not hit the target and sent his effort wide.

In extra time Chiefs continued to press for a winner Moetsoeneng denied substitute Mthokizisi Yende from giving the Amakhosi the lead in the 91st minute as he got the slightest of touches to Yende’s cross shot from the left.

In the 102nd minute Abia Nale failed to make contact with Musona’s pass from around 5 yards from goal, nine minutes on and Tshabalala drove the ball wide of goal when he found himself in a one on one situation with Moetsoeneg.

Tshabalala more than made amends for that miss when he held his nerve to beat two defenders on the left wing for storming down the line, he turned the ball towards goal where Motsoeneng uncharacteristically dropped the ball and Musona lie in wait to knock the loose ball home and sent the Chiefs fans into raptures.

For the fifth time in a cup match The Amakhosi overcame Santos and move into their third Telkom Knockout Cup Final in four seasons, where they will face either Maritzburg United or Orlando Pirates who will clash in the second semi-final on Sunday.

Line-Ups

Chiefs: 32. Itumeleng Khune, 2. Jimmy Tau, 13. Valery Nahayo, 3. Thomas Sweswe, 31. Punch Masenamela, 6. Reneilwe Letsholonyane,14. Siphiwe Tshabalala, 9. Josta Dladla (11. A. Nale 68’), 8. Tinashe Nengomasha, 23. Sthembiso Ngcobo (10. M. Yende 76’), 21. Knowledge Musona

Cautions: Ngcobo, Nahayo, Sweswe, Yende

Santos: 30. Tshepo Motsoeneng, 16. Wayne Arendse, 33. Peter Mponda, 3. Ricardo Skippers, 27. Jurie Basie (12. B. Macala 105’), 8. Tyren Arendse, 22. Boitumelo Mafoko (2. M. Otieno 54’), 4. Mogogi Gabonamong, 17. Graham King, 7. Gregory Roelf, 34. Sekou Camara ( 11. R. Scott 70’)

Cautions: 27. Basie