2001 Final - Absa Park (Durban)

Kaizer Chiefs 0


Asante Kototo 0


Kaizer Chiefs win 3-2 on penalties

Kaizer Chiefs defend the Kudu Horn with a penalty shootout victory over Asante Kotoko. The Ghanaians are playing two days after returning from domestic league match and it shows, as Chiefs have most of the play with Nhlanhla Kubeka mastering an unusual midfield role.

Jabu Pule misses a sitter in the sixth minute. Towards the end of the first half Kotoko begin to dominate and Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral introduces Mozambican Jossias Macamo for Stanton Fredericks at halftime. Midway through the second half, Kubeka heads a good chance over the bar from Lucky Maselesele’s cross. Cyril Nzama is sent off along with Kotoko’s Kwame Osei in the 90th minute.

Teams:

Kaizer Chiefs: Baloyi, Nzama, Mabedi, Goldstone, Mthembu (Mathebula 85), Mbuthu (Macamo 45), A Zwane, Kubeka, Fredericks (Sithole), Maselesele (Matsau 69), Pule.

Asante Kotoko: Quainoo, Adams, F Yeboah, G Yeboah, Hendricks, Sam, Mohammed, Kwame Osei (Asowah 80), Frimpong, Oduro, Alhassan (Louis 6).

Third place play-off

Orlando Pirates 0


Hearts of Oak 0


Hearts win 4-3 on penalties

Orlando Pirates for the first time throw a lot of inexperienced players into the match and dominate play with new recruit Mbulelo Mabizela looking particularly impressive in defence. Yet for all their efforts, Pirates cannot break through despite the introduction of experienced players in the second half. The game goes to penalties and Hearts of Oak are victorious.

Teams:

Orlando Pirates: Radebe, Mabizela, Khomane (Baute 30), Phiri, Makhanya (Chikoya 80), Petlele, Cele, Kubheka (Lebese 80), Vilakazi, Manyathela (Mkhize 46), Makhubela (Lota 46).

Hearts of Oak: Adjei, Amankwa, Mohammed, Quaye, Tette, Kingston, Afriyie (Sarpong 49), Tette (Abbey 9), Benson, Eranio (Quaye Jnr 5), Bortey.

2001 - Royal Bafokeng Sport Palace


Semifinals

Kaizer Chiefs 1 (Mthembu 28)


Hearts of Oak 0

Defending champions Kaizer Chiefs win the midfield battle and play entertaining football, with Jabu Pule worrying Hearts with his tricky skills. New signings Rowen Fernandez and Stanton Fredericks both do well. Marco Mthembu opens the scoring with a brilliant shot after a great work by Fredericks.

A return to Chiefs colours for Nhlanhla Mathebula and Lucky Maselesele, while Mozambican Jossias Macamo gets a late run. With the Ghanaian league in full swing and their national team in action, Hearts field a number of their reserves.

Teams:

Kaizer Chiefs: Fernandez, Nzama, Goldstone, Mabedi, Mthembu, Kubeka (Mathebula 80), A Zwane, Fredericks (Macamo 77), Pule, Jukulile (Maselesele 62), Sithole (Sibeko 83).

Hearts of Oak: Sammy Adjei, Mireku Amankwa, Hassan Mohammed, Dan Quaye, Stephen Tetteh, Kenneth Sarpong (Abbey Wisdom 56), Awuley Quaye, Bong Bernard Borty (Charles Benson 8), Kingston Laryea, Samuel Monnie (George Eranio 68).

Referee: Williams (South Africa)

Orlando Pirates 1 (Vilakazi 1)


Asante Kotoko 1 (Joe Louis 81)

The game is played at a slower pace than the first one. Pirates create but waste many chances. However, Denis Lota looks very sharp in front of goals. Substitute Andile Cele does well when he comes on. Vilakazi makes the most of a lack of concentration in the opposing defence to put Pirates in the lead. But Kotoko’s Joe Louis scores a shock equaliser nine minutes from time to force a penalty shootout. Pirates lose 4-2 in penalties.

Penalty takes:


Pirates: Skhosana and Chikoya score while Lewis and Lota miss.


Asante: Yeboah, Oduro, Hendricks and Sam score.

Teams:

Orlando Pirates: Okpara, Moleko (Raphahlela 82), Chikoya, Khomane, Jackson, Sapula (Cele 58), Lebese (Silent 46), Vilakazi, Lewis, Mkhize (Skhosana 54), Lota.

Asante Kotoko: Louis Quainoo, Fuseini Adams, Godfrey Yeboah (Michael Osei 51), Daniel Acquah 6), Joe Hendricks, Joe Sam, Anars Mohammed, Stephen Oduro, Shilla Alhassan, Nana Frimpong, Joe Louis (Kwame Osei 83).

Referee: Wilfred Makuna (Zimbabwe).

2000 Final - Kings Park (Durban)

Orlando Pirates 0


Kaizer Chiefs 1 (Maselesele 87)

A tremendous midfield battle but otherwise a less appetising game in front of a packed stadium as Pirates fail to defend their title, with young substitute Benedict Vilakazi missing two great chances before Lucky Maselesele comes on to bury Siyabonga Nomvete’s brilliant cross.

Teams:

Orlando Pirates: Johnson, Raphahlela, Jackson (Hartley), Inguana, Lewis (Vilakazi), Mncwango (Larsen), Chikoya, Mngomeni, Ngake, Lota, Mkhize (Manyathela).

Kaizer Chiefs: Baloyi, Goldstone, Mabedi, Auseb, Mbuthu, Mooki, Mthembu, A Zwane (Maselesele), Nomvete, Matsau (Khumalo), Nauseb.

Third place play-off

Africa Sport 1 Gatto (90)


Dynamos 2 (Mlotshwa 46, Mutasa 58)

Zimbabweans Dynamos - late replacements for Moroccan side Raja Casablanca - play well to defeat Africa Sport 2-1. The Ivorians look untouchable when they search for an early goal but are denied by the rock-solid Dynamos defence. In the second half Dynamos come out like house on fire and score twice before midfielder Gatto hits a powerful consolation goal in injury time.

Teams:

Africa Sport: Traore, Mariko, Kone, Loue, Doumbia, Dadi, Ambroise, Diamonde (Arsene), Gatto, Kader, Fadel Keita (Yekini).

Dynamos: Muzadzi, Mushambu, Musherahowa, Phiri, Pawusa, Mutasa, L Ncube, Kumwenda (Morati), Mlotshwa (Rinemhota), Makuwe (K Ncube), Gwata.

Referee: Senai (Botswana).

2000 - Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace (Rustenburg)


Semifinals

Orlando Pirates 3 (Mkhize 23, 37, Sebola 82)


Dynamos 1 (Ncube 19)

Pirates come from behind to convincingly beat the last-minute guest from Zimbabwe, who nevertheless give a good account of themselves. Josep Ngake causes damage down the right flank with his speed – and his exceptional run sets up Mkhize’s excellent finish, which puts Bucs 2-1 ahead.

Newcomer Lesley Manyathela looks nervous when coming on for Lota bbut he does well to set up a goal for another substitute Andries Sebola. Overall, Gordon Igesund’s men play with more discipline than has been seen from a Pirates team in many a day.

Teams:

Orlando Pirates: Johnson, Raphahlela, Jackson (Moleko), Inguana, Lewis, Mngomeni, Mncwango (Vilakazi), Ngake, Mkhize (Sebola), Lota (Manyathela), Chikoya (Petlele).

Dynamos: Muzadzi, Gwata, Maringwa, Musherahowa, Phiri, Pasuwa, Mutasa, L Ncube, Murape, Kumwenda (K Ncube), Rinemhota (Mlotshwa).

Referee: Nchengwa (Botswana).

Kaizer Chiefs 2 (Mooki 14, Matsau 34)


Africa Sport 0

Midfielder Arthur Zwane makes a surprise appearance in the famous Gold and Black and thrills the fans with his silky touches but is forced leave the field before the end of the match after taking a knock. The late appearance by Robson Muchichwa sends the crowd into a frenzy.

By then Chiefs are leading comfortably thanks a goal from midfielder Thabo Mooki, followed by returnee striker Daniel Matsau, who does well to convert Robert Nauseb’s cross. Massaro though guilty of missing other chances, confuses Sundowns’ future Champions League opponents with his runs off the ball.

Old warrior Rashidi Yekini is closely marked by Mohammed Auseb and Jacob Tshisevhe and is unable to provide a glimpse of former glories. Rising star Tshepo "Shoes" Mashishi comes on in the second half.

Teams:

Kaizer Chiefs: Baloyi, Nauseb (Mashishi), Goldstone, Auseb, Tshisevhe, Mbuthu, Zwane (Chinwya), Mooki, Matsau, Mthembu (Muchichwa), Nomvete.

Africa Sport: Yahaya, Brahima, Seydou, Edgar, Moussa, Aboubacar (Yalouba), Hyalinthe, Kader, Yekini (Issoufou), Fadel Sylvetre.

Referee: Phomane


Dismissal: Yekini (off the bench).

1999 Final - Kings Park (Durban)

Orlando Pirates 4 (Zaidi 30og, Lota 44, Lekoelea 49, Silent 90)


Esperance 1 (Nzeng 38og)

Russian coach Viktor Bondarenko lifts the inaugural Vodacom Challenge trophy and appropriately it is the Durban imports - Sait, Lewis, Chikoya and Larsen - who excel on their old familiar turf. Esperance take the lead through Nzeng’s own goal - a looping headed clearance attempt that sails over an advancing Okpara - but Zaid throws Pirates an instant lifeline with an even more absurd own goal.

Pirates then sweep into the lead just before the interval, making most of more defensive blunders. In the second half, with the score at 3-1, Nzeng fouls Julius Aghahowa in the box but Khaled Badra shoots wide from the resultant spot-kick. Silent’s last-minute goal is the final nail in Esperance’s coffin. His fierce shot rebounds off the crossbar and his expertly placed follow-up header beats Thabet hands down.

Teams:

Orlando Pirates: Okpara, Sait, Nzeng (Inguana), Chikoya, Khomane, Mngomeni, Lewis, Larsen (Mncwango), Lota, Lekoelea (Silent), Sebola (Zuma).

Esperance: Thabet, Sahbani, Azaiez, Zaidi (Badra), Mnazi, Chihi, Melliti (Kanzari), Gabsi (Melki), Nsilulu, Aghahowa, Agou.

Telkom Park (Port Elizabeth)

Orlando Pirates 2 (Sebola 38, Mkhize 88)


Asec Mimosas 0

History repeats itself as Pirates beat revenge-seeking Asec. As is 1995, the Ivorians dominate but lack finishing ability. Andries Sebola gives the home side a deserved lead on 34 minutes. The youngsters from Cote d’Ivoire play an exciting brand of football in search of an equaliser but are left exposed and Brandon Silent sets up Phumlani Mkhize for the second goal.

Teams:

Orlando Pirates: Okpara, Sait (Moleko), Chikoya, Khomane, Nzeng, Mngomeni, Lewis (Ngake), Larsen, Lota, Lekoelea (Silent), Sebola (Mkhize).

Asec Mimosas: Diara, Toure, Zokora, Djire, Yapi (Secreto), Kante, Pehe, Zeze, Dindane, Tiene, Dansoko (Nountcha).

Referee: Lilane (Lesotho)


Cautions: Mngomeni, Sebola.

Third place play-off

Kaizer Chiefs 2 (Lebese 62, Pule 64)


Asec 1 (Zeze 29)

Frenchman Paul Dolezar, in his last game in charge of Amakhosi, salvages a little pride following the previous week’s defeat to Esperance. Chiefs, after a lackluster first half, turn the heat on in the second half with four of the old guard (Tovey, Khumalo, Muchuchwa and Bachelor) being substituted. First team debuts for Sydwell Makhubo, junior international Moffat Mafoka and Jabu Pule, who scores the winner.

Teams:

Kaizer Chiefs: Baloyi, Tovey (Mabedi), Auseb, Nauseb, Makua, Khumalo (Makhubo), Mooki, Pule, Muchichwa (Mafoka), Lebese, Batchelor (Matsau).

Asec: Konate, Toure, Didier, Djire, Koutounan Dindane), Yapi, Kante, Pehe (Amauh), Zeze, Tiene, Dansoko (Barari).

Referee: Phomane (Lesotho).

1999 - Kings Park Stadium (Durban)


Semifinals - Saturday, July 3

Kaizer Chiefs 0


Esperance 1 (Sahbani 102 Aet)

Midfield genius Doctor Khumalo has a brilliant game but overall the entire team does not live up to expectations as they fall to the Tunisians and many dreams of witnessing a Soweto derby in the final are shattered.

Teams:

Kaizer Chiefs: Baloyi, Nauseb (Maselesele, Banzi), Auseb, Mabedi, Tovey, Khumalo, Zwane (Makua), Mooki (Mlwane), Muchichwa, Matsau (Batchelor), Lebese.

Esperance: Thabet, Sahbani (Jaidi), Mouira, Mnazi, Azaiez, Chihi, Melliti, Bouchiolova (Melki), Ahmed, Leroussi (Zitouni), Nsilulu.

Referee: Nchengwa (Botswana)


Cautions: Muchichwa, Mouira.