Stellenbosch FC (0) 1
(De Jong 87’)

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 3
(Miguel (pen) 20’, Mmodi 90+5’, Vilakazi 90+11’)

Nedbank Cup quarterfinal
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha

Amakhosi booked their place in the semifinals of the Nedbank Cup following a dramatic and controversial encounter against Stellenbosch at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday evening.

Chiefs led 1-0 at halftime and appeared to be going through before Andre De Jong equalised in the 87^th minute. Five minutes into the six added on by referee, Sikhumbuzo Gasa, with the scores level at 1-1, Pule Mmodi bundled the ball into the net from Mduduzi Shabalala’s wicked corner. The goal was initially disallowed and then awarded following a lengthy consultation between the referee and his assistant, who had initially flagged a suspected infringement. Substitute, Mfundo Vilakazi put the result beyond doubt deep into stoppage time, running the length of the field to score into an empty net after Stellenbosch goalkeeper, Sage Stephens had gone forward for a corner with seconds remaining in a desperate attempt to restore parity.

Stellenbosch were incensed at the decision for the Mmodi goal but the thousands of Gold & Black supporters that filled the stadium were delighted.

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Spurred on by a deafening cacophony of fanatical support from the throngs of Amakhosi fans in the packed stands, Chiefs were quickly into their stride, seeking to establish early dominance, with Nkosingiphile Ngcobo standing out with some good early touches. In the 8^th minute ‘Mshini’ played a superb defence-splitting pass to Ashley Du Preez but Thabo Moloisane managed to put his slightly off balance to prevent the striker netting against his former team.

On 18 minutes, Stellenbosch got in a right muddle at the back, giving the ball away cheaply to Sirino, who whipped in a cross from the right. As Lilepo rose to meet it with his head, Toure stuck up an arm to deflect the ball away and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Miguel, once again, showed nerves of steel in sending Stephens the wrong way to give Amakhosi the lead.

Chiefs endured a period of sustained pressure as Stellies tried to get back on level terms immediately, though the well-drilled defensive unit of Miguel, Given Msimango and Thabo Cele, with assistance from Reeve Frosler and Edmilson Dove on the flanks, protected Bruce Bvuma in goal and rebuffed every onslaught, including several corners and throw-ins that saw the ball propelled deep into their penalty area.

As the half drew to a close, Amakhosi enjoyed a resurgence of sorts, with Sirino and Ngcobo seeing a bit more of the ball.

Five minutes before the break, Toure was very fortunate not to be sent off after he appeared to put his hand to Sirino’s face. However, he escaped with a yellow card.

On the stroke of halftime, Sirino was inspired to play a sublime pass into the box for Du Preez, who did well to make half a yard of space to get a shot away that Stephens desperately managed to block from close range, as the visitors went into the changerooms leading 1-0.

After the break Chiefs seemed content to sit back and invite Stellenbosch forward with the intention of hitting them on the break, and it almost came off a few times, with the speed of Du Preez a constant source of concern for the home team.

With 15 minutes to go, Toure and Bvum collided going for the ball and in the aftermath Chiefs reserve goalkeeper, Brandon Petersen was red carded from the bench by referee, Gasa, presumably for something he must have said.

Amakhosi fell deeper and deeper in defence as the half wore on and eventually, three minutes from time, Stellenbosch drew level when De jong’s near post header from a corner brushed the head of Miguel to steer it past Bvuma.

Then, as everyone assumed a further 30 minutes of extra time, Chiefs forced a corner, which Shabalala whipped in right under the crossbar. Stephens fumbled the ball and it fell to Mmodi to knock it into the net off his knee. The assistant’s flag went up to signify a foul on Stepen by Goerge Matlou. However, following a long discussion between the officials, Gasa awarded the goal.

Teenage substitute Vilakazi rubbed salt into the Stellenbosch wounds with seconds remaining after Chiefs cleared a corner for which every Stellies player had gone forward, including the goalkeeper, breaking clear from his own half to run the ball into an empty net.

Amakhosi now wait to learn of their opponents in the semifinals, as the quest for silverware remains very much alive.

Post match facts

Kaizer Chiefs have reached their 11^th Nedbank Cup semifinal in the PSL era.

In the PSL era, Chiefs were playing in their 14^th Nedbank Cup quarterfinal. They won for an 11th time.

Kaizer Chiefs have won all three of their Nedbank Cup games against Stellenbosch, winning all three in regulation time.

Kaizer Chiefs have won all four of their previous Cup games against Stellenbosch.

Kaizer Chiefs have won three games against Stellenbosch this season in all competitions.

Inacio Miguel is the first Chiefs player since Marks Maponyane, in 1989, to score in Chiefs’ first three games in a single edition of the Nedbank Cup.

Line-ups:

Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma (44), Dove (2), Miguel © (84), Msimango (25), Frosler (39) (Solomons (18) 90+3’), Cele (21) (Vilakazi (28) 90+3’), Ngcobo (12) (Shabalala (42) 80’), Sirino (10) (Maart (8) 62’), Mmodi (13), Lilepo (99) (Matlou (22) 80’), Du Preez (9)

Subs not used: Petersen (1), Kwinika (4), Cross (48), Chivaviro (7)

Coach: Nasreddine Nabi

Stellenbosch FC: Stephens © (17); Toure (45), Basadien (21), Butsaka (15) (De Jong (18) 58’), Lekoloane (5) (Nku (7) 58’),Enyinnaya (16) Phili (11), 70’), Khiba (19) (Jabaar (27) 86’), Nduli (8), Moloisane (24), Titus (34), Cupido (9) (Barns (20) 70’)

Subs not used: Masuluke (30); Onyango (2), Mdaka (3), Palace (28)

Coach: Steve Barker