Kaizer Chiefs safely negotiated their passage to the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup when they overcame a spirited challenge from National First Division outfit Polokwane City in their round of 16 clash played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday night. Goals by Sthembiso Ngcobo and Kingston Nkhatha secured a 2-0 win.

The victory means that Chiefs have escaped a potential slip up to lower league opposition, a trend that they had for three straight years from 2009 to 2011. An efficient performance keeps them on course for a domestic double this season.

In the 15th minute Polokwane City had the match’s first real opportunity when Mashishi belted a long range shot from 20 yards centrally towards goal which Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune had to be alert to and he forced it out for a corner kick with a parry.

Kaizer Motaung Junior wasted a fine chance for Chiefs when he received a lobbed ball into the box. The striker was unmarked but could only head his effort over the bar with all the space and time in the world to at least challenge the ‘keeper.

Polokwane City had done well in the opening 30 minutes, but their defence finally broke down in the 32nd minute. The NFD outfit failed to clear a corner kick and the ball fell to Siyabonga Nkosi, whose defence-stretching pass was met by Ngcobo and the former Free State Stars forward slotted low and hard beyond the keeper.

Three minutes into the second half Chiefs threatened to increase their lead when Ngcobo on the right flank pulled the ball back for Mandla Masanago, but the winger sent his shot just over the bar.

Chiefs soon made sure the result was beyond City’s reach. The visitors lost the ball out on the right and wing and Bernard Parker powered forward and picked out Nkhatha on the near post and the Zimbabwean striker finished with a calm strike on the near post in the 74th.

Chiefs (1) 2 (Ngcobo 32’, Nkhatha 74’)


Polokwane City 0

Chiefs: Khune, Gaxa, Mathoho, Mashamaite, Ritchie, Nkosi (Katsande 76’), Baloyi, Tshabalala, Ngcobo (Parker 68’), Motaung (Nkhatha 62’), Masango

Polokwane City: Mayala, Tema, Maselwa, Mngqibisa, Mkhabela, Mashini, Whitby (Mathibe 55’), Tlolane (Gwala 81’), Matlhobogwane (Mmotong 46’), Kanyenda, Gopane