Kaizer Chiefs beat Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 to reach the final of the MTN8. Saturday evening’s second leg of the cup’s semifinal was decided by a goal from George Lebese in the 42nd minute.

The opening stage of the match is tight, with the visitors sitting back in their own half, often even with ten men in the last third of the pitch.

It’s a bit of a surprising choice of the Celtic coach as his side needs to score to go past Amakhosi, due to the 1-1 draw at home. As a result of this, a goalless draw wouldn’t do it for Phunya Sele Sele, because of the away goal rule.

Chiefs try to put some early pressure on the Celtic defence, but, despite getting a few corners, it doesn’t result in any real chances.

Instead, it’s Bloemfontein that get a perfect opportunity to open the scoreline when Keagan Buchanan goes one-on-one with Amakhosi goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune. But he kicks the ball past the wrong side of the post – to the relief of the more than 33 000 Amakhosi faithful in the stadium.

The game stays tight, with both goalkeepers seeing little of the ball. Khune is probably the busier of the two, although after Buchanan’s chance there is no more real danger in the first half for the Chiefs goalkeeper.

Amakhosi get their goal in the 42st minute, thanks to Lebese, who had been relatively quiet until then. The winger has a one-two with striker Siphelele Mthembu, after which he dribbles past a defender and slots the ball neatly low into the right corner of the goal, 1-0.

Shortly thereafter, Mthembu shoots from just outside the box, but the ball flies straight to the Celtic goalkeeper, who fists the ball away.

The home side goes into halftime with a well-deserved 1-0 lead, as they have definitely been the more positive side, going forward in numbers and passing the ball around neatly. Although, to be fair, Celtic have been dangerous on the break a few times.

The second half is more open, as the visitors now have to score a goal. A few small opportunities come Bloemfontein’s way. On the other hand, Chiefs look dangerous when on the break.

Siboniso Gaxa gets a fine chance the extend to lead in the 62nd minute, but Celtic goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb makes a fine reaction save.

Slowly, it’s again the home side that puts the most pressure on the opponent’s defence. At some stage, Chiefs even get four corner kicks in a row.

Tsepo Masilela, who had another fine game at left-back, nearly gets the game’s second goal, but his header is well kept out goal by the Celtic goalkeeper, diving to his right.

In the end, Chiefs keep the nil at the back. It’s a fully deserved win. Thanks to the result, the Glamour Boys again reach the final of the MTN8, which they won last year by beating Orlando Pirates.

Tomorrow’s clash between Bidvest Wits and Ajax Cape Town will decide who Amakhosi will face in the final, which will be played on Saturday, 19 September. The first leg finished in 1-1, which means that Wits go into their home game on Sunday with a slight advantage.

Chiefs’ next game is on the road against SuperSport United in an Absa Premiership fixture. The encounter will take place at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, 12 September (kick-off 18:00).

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1 (Lebese 42’)

Bloemfontein Celtic 0

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune; Gaxa, Mathoho, Xulu, Masilela; Lebese (Bukenya 78’), Katsande, Letsholonyane (Ndulula 90’), Tshabalala; Parker, Mthembu (Masilela 63’)

Bloemfontein Celtic: Tignyemb, Dube, Bilankulu, Rikhotso; Morena, Buchanan (Shikweni 67’), Ndengane, Nyatama, Mogapi; Pelembe (Lackay 76’), Lamola (Massa 59’)