Posted in News on Feb 23, 2014.
Knowledge Musona struck in the 19th minute of extra time as Kaizer Chiefs beat Black Leopards 1-0 to book their place in the next round of the Nedbank Cup on Sunday afternoon at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The National First Division side, though, pushed Chiefs all the way and were unfortunate not to wrap the match up inside 90 minutes in this last 32 encounter.
Leopards had a great opportunity to take an early lead in the fifth minute when they opened up the Chiefs defence. The ball fell into the path of David Zulu whose shot from just six-yards out went agonisingly went wide of goal.
Ten minutes later Leopards attacker Siphelele Ntshangase found space inside the box and blasted his effort high of goal from close range, but Chiefs Brilliant Khuzwayo, who started the match in place of regular keeper Itumeleng Khune, had narrowed the angle on goal.
The best chance of the first half fell to Chiefs on the half hour mark from a clever set play.
George Maluleka found an unmarked Tefu Mashamaite on the edge of the box and the defender unleashed a stinging left footed shot which Leopards keeper Jacob Mokhasi acrobatically palmed away.
On the stroke of halftime Leopards were inches away from taking a lead into the break.
Chiefs defender Siphiwe Mtsweni avoided a crucial touch in front of an open goal after everyone in the box missed the ball as it flew across the face of goal from a corner-kick.
In the 85th minute of the match Karabo Tshepe brought the best out of Khuzwayo when the Chiefs defenders retreated and allowed him space, he cracked a long range shot which Khuzwayo spectacularly finger tipped over the bar.
Leopards had the lion’s share of good opportunities to win the match in regulation time, but lack of finishing cost them in the end as the Chiefs defence held up to take the contest to an additional 30 minutes of extra time.
In the 19th minute of extra time Chiefs took the lead after a mistake at the back by the home side.
Leopards failed to clear their lines when the ball fell into the path of Tshabalala who then found Musona and the Zimbabwean international fired a shot past Mokhasi, 1-0.
Black Leopards (0)
Kaizer Chiefs (0)1 Musona 110’
Leopards: Mokhasi, Manaka, Mabotja (Ramodumo 102’), Munganga, Nyirenda, Munyai, Mumuni, Tshepe, Ntshangase (Ndebele 86’), Ndou (Amidu 69’), Zulu
Chiefs: Khuzwayo, Gaxa, Gould, Mashamaite, Mtsweni, Katsande, Maluleka (Letsholonyane 66’), Tshabalala, Lebese, Nkosi (Rusike 87’), Mphela (Musona 65’)