An own goal from former Amakhosi defender Dominic Isaacs secured a 1-0 win for Kaizer Chiefs over Bloemfontein Celtic in a Nedbank Cup quarterfinal clash at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday evening.

The two sides progressed to the last eight of the competition thanks to wins over Free State Stars and Polokwane City respectively.

Kaizer Chiefs started the brighter of the two sides as they looked to silence the home crowd early on.

Chiefs dominated the first 10 minutes of the encounter, keeping hold of possession and attacking the Phunya Sele Sele goal with pace. The Soweto giants though couldn’t find the killer ball into the area.

Despite AmaKhosi’s early dominance, the home side created the first real chance of the match through Lennox Bacela in the 24th minute.

Joel Mogorosi’s low ball into the box was parried by Itumeleng Khune straight to Bacela but the forward only managed to direct his resulting header over the crossbar.

Bacela had another great chance 10 minutes later. Limbikani Mzsva played a brilliant ball into the striker but he could only manage to direct his effort straight at Khune from close range.

Chiefs started the game of the better of the two sides but Celtic grew into the encounter and had the better of the chances in the first half.

The home side started the second stanza the better of the two sides, winning a corner straight from the kick-off.

Chiefs took the lead on the 57th minute of the game through an own goal from Isaacs. The former Chiefs defender looked to clear a fierce Siphiwe Tshabalala corner kick but he could only manage to direct the ball into the back of his own net.

Celtic pushed forward in search of the equaliser but they struggled to break down the stubborn Chiefs defence and were subsequently limited to long range efforts.

Second half subsitued Ruzaigh Gamildien had a great opportunity to take the tie into extra time in the last minute of the game. The midfielder met a ball from the left flank sweetly on the volley but he was denied by a brilliant reflex save from Bafana Bafana’s No 1.

The victory for Chiefs was their second over Phunya Sele Sele in the space of two weeks after they beat them 3-0 in the Premier Soccer League 13 days ago.

Chiefs join SuperSport United in the last four of the competition after Matsatsantsa beat Maritzburg United 2-1 earlier today.

Teams

Celtic: Tingyemb, Mahoa, Nthethe, Isaacs, Mzava, Lakay (Ntanga 84’), Arwuah, Mogorosi (Nyanda 75’), Madubanya (Gamildien 66’), Mutuma, Bacela

Chiefs: Khune, Gaxa, Zvasiya, Mashamaite, Masilela, Katsande, Nkosi, Tshabalala, Majoro (Nkhatha 53’), Lebese, Parker