Kaizer Chiefs beat Edu Sports 4-0 to progress to the Nedbank Cup Last 16. Siphelele Mthembu scored three times, while Katlego Mphela found the net as well. The cup match was played at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Mphela came on in the second half, making a welcome comeback after his ankle injury sustained early in the season.

Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter considerably changed the team compared to the 2-0 loss against SuperSport United on Tuesday evening.

Itumeleng Khune returned in goal against the SAB Regional League side, while youngsters like Lorenzo Gordinho, Ovidy Karuru and Kgotso Moleko all got an opportunity to show their talent.

From the experienced players, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Morgan Gould and Siyabonga Nkosi started, while new signing David Zulu also began.

The game started on a rather slow pace. However, the more the match progressed, the more the difference in class between the two sides could be spotted.

The first real goalscoring opportunity arrived in the 18th minute. Nkosi gave an excellent through ball to Karuru, who crossed the ball from Amakhosi’s left side into the box. The incoming Tshabalala headed the ball nicely at goal, but the Edu Sports goalkeeper made a fine save.

Barely a minute later, the ball ended up at the back of the net. Right-back Moleko pumped the ball from the flank high into Edu Sports’ box, with Siphelele Mthembu excellently finishing with his head, 1-0.

The Shoshanguve-based side seemed to struggle in particular with high balls in their box, as in the 23th minute another chance arrived from an aerial ball. This time it was Nkosi who came storming in, but he failed to head the ball into the goal. Although he was a slightly put off by Gordinho, who was just in front of Nkosi. The defender just missed the ball.

About 15 minutes later, the pacy Zulu broke through the midfield, launching a stinger at goal, but the Edu Sports goalkeeper Bongani Dhladhla made a fine save.

Amakhosi’s goalkeeper Khune, meanwhile, was only needed for his first real intervention in the 45th minute, coming out well to catch the ball before the instorming Edu Sports striker could do any harm.

The halftime score stayed 1-0 with Baxter probably a bit disappointed that not more goals were scored.

Chiefs again created most chances during the early stages of the second half via set-pieces with Gordinho heading the ball powerfully in the 49th minute. But the Edu Sports goalkeeper’s quick reaction cared that the ball was worked to a corner.

Amakhosi now had the most possession of the ball, putting more pressure on the visitors than during the first half. Especially Zulu looked lively, willing to take on defenders, and right-back Moleko came forward whenever having an opportunity to do so.

A chance from close range arrived for Mthembu in the 60th minute, but the lanky striker shot the ball over the crossbar. Minutes later, Zulu dived in, but just failed to head the ball. It was a bit unlucky, especially as he had gotten a few opportunities by then. The positive, however, was that he got into good goalscoring positions.

In the 63rd minute the second goal finally arrived and it was Mthembu who finished coolly with a tap in from close range. They were his second and third official – league or cup - goals this season.

Six minutes later Khune got injured after an aerial battle and was replaced by Reyaad Pieterse in the 69th minute. Khune was feeling dizzy. Pieterse came on, as Brilliant Khuzwayo was rested by coach Baxter for this game.

Shortly hereafter, Hendrick Eksteen got his first minutes this season, while Mphela, who replaced Zulu, made his comeback in an official match after injuring his ankle early in the season.

Eksteen nearly scored his first goal with a powerful drive from the edge of the box, but the goal hit the post.

In the 84th minute, Tshabalala pumped the ball high into the box. Mphela rose high above the Edu Stars defenders, brilliantly finishing with his head, 3-0.

Mthembu scored his third in injury time. The striker was selected as the man-of-the-match for his fine performance.

Amakhosi looked a bit stale in the first half, but the second episode was much better. It was a well-deserved 4-0 win.

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 4 (Mthembu 19’, 63’, 93, Mphela 84’)

Edu Sports 0

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune (Pieterse 69’), Moleko, Gould, Gordinho, Mtsweni, Karuru, Bukenya, Nkosi (Eksteen 71’), Tshabalala, Zulu (Mphela 71’), Mthembu

Edu Sports: Dhladhla, Monama, Vusi Sibiya (Manaka 34’), Sipho Sibiya, Ngoetjana, Phasoa, Matlou, Bokaba (Kaemogetswe Ledwaba 89’), Koketso Phalane, Tumi Ledwaba, Tumelo Phalane (Ndlovu 59’)