The Naturena side did most of the work in the first leg played at home as they handed the highly-fancied Tunisians a 2-0 hiding, with Thabo Mooki scoring both goals.

Zimbabwean international Luke Jukulile, who came on for Mooki in the 65th minute, put the matter beyond Africain as he scored from a rebound shot in the 84th minute to book Chiefs a place in the final.

Chiefs soaked up considerable Tunisian pressure, especially late

in the first half, with goalkeeper Brian Baloyi and Malawian

centrehalf Patrick Mabedi impressive.

Baloyi save superbly from Brazilian Jose de Sousa five minutes

before half-time and leading Club Africain scorer Hamdy Marzouky,

who missed the first leg through suspension, went close with a

flashing header.

Depressed by their inability to break down a well-disciplined

Amakhosi defence, Club Africain resorted to crosses that seldom

troubled captain Baloyi.

Substitute Rene Richards set up the only goal with a shot from

outside the penalty area that beat goalkeeper Khaled Azaiez,

rebounded off the underside of the crossbar, and landed at the

right foot of quick-reacting Jukulile.

Chiefs also made history, as they became the first side to beat Club Africain in the Cup Winners Cup at the Al-Menzah Stadium. The Tunisians went into the game as strong favourites given their record at home.

The bulldozed holders Zamalek out of the competition in the quarterfinals and appeared as strong favourites to lift the cup. The history of this competition also pitted them as favourites.

Tunisian clubs have won the Mandela Cup three times while South African sides had never made it to the final until this Saturday.

The Phefeni Glamour Boys, had other plans. Their participation in this tournament was not motivated by monetary rewards.

When Al Ahly consecutively won the cup for the third time in 1986, they were handed the original Abdelaziz Mostafa Cup and the new trophy was named after former SA president Nelson Mandela. And Chiefs has since declared their intentions to win the 27th edition of the Cup Winners Cup in honour of Mandela.

Club Africain were the first Tunisian team to lift the Champions League but they have been overshadowed at home and abroad for many years by archrivals Esperance. While in South Africa, Orlando Pirates remain the only side to have lifted the African Champions League back in 1994.

The situation is now about to change as Amakhosi plan to dominate African club competitions. Chiefs have already defeated strong Egyptian opposition Ismailia in the same competition and the victory against Club Africain summed up a tricky and somewhat unpredictable route to the final.

Chiefs will now play the winner between Inter Luanda of Angola and Cameroon side Kumbo Strikers. Luanda look all set for a clash with Amakhosi in the two-legged final as they take a 3-0 lead into the second leg encounter in Cameroon.

The first leg of the Mandela Cup will be played in the weekend of November 16-18 with the second leg played in the weekend of November 30 and December 2.

Teams:

Club Africain: Azaiez; Salhi, Zaalani (Ayman 62), Marzouki; Ghoul, Chouchane, Kouki, Moulhi, Di Souza; Rehini (Sofiane 74), Egbedi (Achiraf 75)

Chiefs: Baloyi; Nzama, Mabedi, Kubheka, Mthembu; Mbuthu, Zwane, Mooki (Jukulile 65), Fredericks, Pule (Khumalo 57), Sithole (Richards 71).