Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on Mar 31, 2018.
31 MARCH, 2018
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1 (Mathoho 37’)
Baroka FC 0
Kaizer Chiefs beat Baroka FC 1-0 to reach the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup on Saturday evening. The winner was scored by Erick Mathoho in the first half. Amakhosi played well and could have scored more goals.
Hendrick Ekstein, Ryan Moon and Mathoho all came into the starting XI compared to Chiefs’ last match against AmaZulu, which ended in a goalless draw.
Ramahlwe Mphahlele was positioned on the wing, relegating Joseph Molangoane to the bench.
Baroka put Amakhosi under some pressure early on, but Chiefs took control of the game after about 15 minutes of play.
Siphiwe Tshabalala was active in midfield, passing the ball well around, while Leonardo Castro and Ryan Moon tried to put Baroka’s defence under pressure whenever having the opportunity to do so.
Philani Zulu moved energetically up and down the flank, bringing width on the left side, while Ramahlwe Mphahlele did the same on the other flank.
Chiefs’ first goalscoring opportunity arrived in the 16th minute when Mphahlele delivered a telling cross from the right with Moon heading the ball on goal from close range, but Baroka’s goalkeeper Ayanda Dlamini made a great save.
Another chance arrived in the 32nd minute when Zulu’s low cross arrived slightly to the right of the goal at Mphahlele’s feet, whose shot from a tight angle was blocked from going into the goal by the Baroka ‘keeper.
The Glamour Boys kept building up the pressure and it resulted in another chance for Moon, but his left-footed shot bounced off the post back into the field.
However, the goal did finally come in the 37th minute when the ball from Tshabalala’s well-taken corner from the left found Erick Mathoho’s head. This time there was nothing the Baroka goalkeeper could do and it was 1-0. It was the lanky defender’s second goal in the Nedbank Cup after he had also found the back of the net in the previous game against Stellenbosch FC.
There could have been a further goal just before the break when Baroka’s defender Hassan Banda brought down Castro in the box. Moon put himself behind the ball, but he kicked the ball over the goal.
Baroka started the second half like the first, trying to put pressure on the Chiefs defence and obviously looking for the equaliser.
Amakhosi, however, didn’t allow the visitors too many opportunities to score and the best chance to do so only arrived in the 62nd minute when a headed ball just bounced off the post with Khune well beaten.
The game was flowing nicely up and down, even though Chiefs were clearly the better side.
Tshabalala was excellent in the second half, as he was in the first, showing again that he’s in great form this season.
It was a well-deserved win for the Glamour Boys.
Key moment in the match:
That must be the moment that Erick Mathoho excellently headed in the winner in the 37th minute of the match. ‘Tower’ towered high above the Baroka defenders, leaving also the goalkeeper no chance. It was a brilliant and, above all, crucial goal.
Most Valuable Player (MVP):
Leonardo Castro worked his socks off up-front, Philani Zulu was excellent on the left flank and Siphiwe Tshabalala was simply brilliant. However, it was Hendrick Ekstein who was selected as the Man of the Match for a fine performance.
What it means:
It means that Kaizer Chiefs have qualified for the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup. Free State Stars and Maritzburg United are also through, while the final spot will be decided on Sunday when Cape Town City host Mamelodi Sundowns.
Kaizer Chiefs 11: Khune; Mathoho, Cardoso, Hadebe; Mphahlele, Katsande, Ekstein, Tshabalala (Jayiya 89’), Zulu; Castro, Moon (Parker 89’)
Subs not used: Khuzwayo, Maluleka, Molangoane, Zuma, Páez
Baroka 11: Dlamini; Kgoetyane (Soso 91’), Banda, Madubanya, Mohwatseleng; Chawaphiwa, Mothupa, Mdantsane, Sidumo (Matloga 49’); Ngalande (Sodi 71’), Motupa
Subs not used: Vries, Mapheto, Mosele, Mabotja
Next Match:
Kaizer Chiefs will now travel to Bethlehem to face Free State Stars in an Absa Premiership fixture at Goble Park on Wednesday, 4 April 2018 (kick-off is at 19:30).
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1 (Mathoho 37’)
Baroka FC 0
Kaizer Chiefs beat Baroka FC 1-0 to reach the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup on Saturday evening. The winner was scored by Erick Mathoho in the first half. Amakhosi played well and could have scored more goals.
Hendrick Ekstein, Ryan Moon and Mathoho all came into the starting XI compared to Chiefs’ last match against AmaZulu, which ended in a goalless draw.
Ramahlwe Mphahlele was positioned on the wing, relegating Joseph Molangoane to the bench.
Baroka put Amakhosi under some pressure early on, but Chiefs took control of the game after about 15 minutes of play.
Siphiwe Tshabalala was active in midfield, passing the ball well around, while Leonardo Castro and Ryan Moon tried to put Baroka’s defence under pressure whenever having the opportunity to do so.
Philani Zulu moved energetically up and down the flank, bringing width on the left side, while Ramahlwe Mphahlele did the same on the other flank.
Chiefs’ first goalscoring opportunity arrived in the 16th minute when Mphahlele delivered a telling cross from the right with Moon heading the ball on goal from close range, but Baroka’s goalkeeper Ayanda Dlamini made a great save.
Another chance arrived in the 32nd minute when Zulu’s low cross arrived slightly to the right of the goal at Mphahlele’s feet, whose shot from a tight angle was blocked from going into the goal by the Baroka ‘keeper.
The Glamour Boys kept building up the pressure and it resulted in another chance for Moon, but his left-footed shot bounced off the post back into the field.
However, the goal did finally come in the 37th minute when the ball from Tshabalala’s well-taken corner from the left found Erick Mathoho’s head. This time there was nothing the Baroka goalkeeper could do and it was 1-0. It was the lanky defender’s second goal in the Nedbank Cup after he had also found the back of the net in the previous game against Stellenbosch FC.
There could have been a further goal just before the break when Baroka’s defender Hassan Banda brought down Castro in the box. Moon put himself behind the ball, but he kicked the ball over the goal.
Baroka started the second half like the first, trying to put pressure on the Chiefs defence and obviously looking for the equaliser.
Amakhosi, however, didn’t allow the visitors too many opportunities to score and the best chance to do so only arrived in the 62nd minute when a headed ball just bounced off the post with Khune well beaten.
The game was flowing nicely up and down, even though Chiefs were clearly the better side.
Tshabalala was excellent in the second half, as he was in the first, showing again that he’s in great form this season.
It was a well-deserved win for the Glamour Boys.
Key moment in the match:
That must be the moment that Erick Mathoho excellently headed in the winner in the 37th minute of the match. ‘Tower’ towered high above the Baroka defenders, leaving also the goalkeeper no chance. It was a brilliant and, above all, crucial goal.
Most Valuable Player (MVP):
Leonardo Castro worked his socks off up-front, Philani Zulu was excellent on the left flank and Siphiwe Tshabalala was simply brilliant. However, it was Hendrick Ekstein who was selected as the Man of the Match for a fine performance.
What it means:
It means that Kaizer Chiefs have qualified for the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup. Free State Stars and Maritzburg United are also through, while the final spot will be decided on Sunday when Cape Town City host Mamelodi Sundowns.
Kaizer Chiefs 11: Khune; Mathoho, Cardoso, Hadebe; Mphahlele, Katsande, Ekstein, Tshabalala (Jayiya 89’), Zulu; Castro, Moon (Parker 89’)
Subs not used: Khuzwayo, Maluleka, Molangoane, Zuma, Páez
Baroka 11: Dlamini; Kgoetyane (Soso 91’), Banda, Madubanya, Mohwatseleng; Chawaphiwa, Mothupa, Mdantsane, Sidumo (Matloga 49’); Ngalande (Sodi 71’), Motupa
Subs not used: Vries, Mapheto, Mosele, Mabotja
Next Match:
Kaizer Chiefs will now travel to Bethlehem to face Free State Stars in an Absa Premiership fixture at Goble Park on Wednesday, 4 April 2018 (kick-off is at 19:30).
