Kaizer Chiefs booked a place in the next round of the Telkom Knockout when they beat AmaZulu in front of 30 000 spectators at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night.

Abia Nale who was on the score sheet on Wednesday night opened the scoring in the 41st minute with Reneilwe Letsholonyane following with his two minutes later with the opposition defence in sixes and sevens.

Both rivals Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns had already booked their places in the next round of the competition earlier on the day and the pressure was on the Glamour Boys to win against AmaZulu in a match played under rainy conditions at the impressive Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Chiefs who had made only one change to the team that beat Moroka Swallows during the week with Valery Nahayo coming in for suspended Dominic Isaacs threatened through livewire, Knowledge Musona twice inside 25 minutes.

In the 17th minute he forced goalkeeper, Mbongeni Mzimela to save from a strike just outside 18-area box. Then in a well executed free kick, the Zimbabwean born sensation watched his shot coming off the up right from a tight angle.

AmaZulu did have one attempt at goals when Ayanda Dlamini forced Itumeleng Khune to dive low after connecting a corner from Bongani Mbele.

Manqoba Mgqithi’s side has struggled in the defence this season and it was not long before Chiefs took advantage of the openings at the back with Nale scoring his second goal in two games from a close range following some good work by Kaizer Motaung JR.

A minute later, Letsholonyane grabbed his first goal of the season when he tapped in from close range after a superb cross from Musona, 2-0 at half time.

Chiefs continued to dominate the game in particular in the middle where Man of the Match, Letsholonyane was operating alongside Tinashe Nengomasha.

There was a chance to add one more goal in the dying stages with Musona ballooning his short following a good work from Mthokozisi Yende.

Then substitute George Lebese still looking for his debut goal for the Club forced Mzimela to make a save as the Glamour Boys searched for the third goal of the game.

Vladimir Vermezovic would be satisfied with the win despite losing Letsholonyane who will miss the Absa Premiership game against current champions, SuperSport United next Sunday after picking up his third caution.

Chiefs: Khune, Tau (Capt.), Jambo, Nahayo, Sweswe, Letsholonyane (Khune 89), Nale (Lebese 82) , Motaung (Ngcobo 65), Musona, Nengomasha, Yende

Substitutes not used: Bartman, Matle, Molekwane, Dladla

Technical Team


Vladimir Vermezovic (Head Coach)


Donald “Ace” Khuse (Assistant Coach)


Rainer Dinkelacker (Goalkeeper Coach)


David Milner (Team Physio)

AmaZulu: Mzimela, Gumede, Mbele, Ariweriyai (Capt.) (Mabaso 68), Nyandombo, Kasonga (Zwane 53), Sikhakhane, Ngxabi, Dlamini, Majoro, Vilane (Hadebe 55)

Substitutes not used: Moses, Sangweni, Gumede, Ngwenya

Technical Team


Manqoba Mngqithi (Head Coach)


Fani Madida (Assistant Coach)


Divan Augstyn (Physiotherapist)


Graham Johnson (Goalkeeper Coach)


James Dlamini (Team Manager)

Match Officials


Buyile Gqubule (Referee)


Zakhele Siwela(1st Assistant)


Tembekile Bikitsha (2nd Assistant)


Shaheen Salot (4th Official)


Isaac Arendse (Match Commissioner)