The Amakhosi advanced to the TKO Semifinals following a hard fought victory over Free State Stars. Chiefs won the game 4 – 2 on penalties after a 1 – 1 draw stalemate after the game went into extra time. Stars were first to draw blood in the 73rd minute through a penalty scored by Ouro-Akoriko. Chiefs equalised in the 87th minute through a Knowledge Musona header.

Coach Stuart Baxter was happy with his Team’s performance but stopped short to lament the behaviour of some sections of the fans at the stadium and social media:

We didn’t play very well in the beginning due to bad weather conditions. We got the game back in the second half. We knew that it was going to be a difficult game and the conditions didn’t make it easy for both teams. First, we got it tactically wrong, which allowed Stars to play.

We had our chances to settle it in normal time. George (Lebese) came very close in the 63rd minute. Knowledge won us a penalty but unfortunately Parker (Bernard) was denied by a good save from their goalkeeper. They scored their chance of the penalty in the second half but we still continued to play our normal football. Parker came close to equalising in the 81st.

If you watch the game carefully, you will notice that we continued to soldier on and our equaliser came through sheer brilliance of ball play. It was not one of those goals you can attribute to luck. Pa (Gaxa) played a good ball over their defence and Knowledge scored brilliantly. Itu (Khune) did well to save the two penalties. We worked very hard on set plays and penalties during the week.

The fans that braved the weather at the stadium must be commended as they cheered and supported the team. It was only a section of the fans that spoilt it. The fans must know that if they boo players, they are transferring negative energy onto the pitch. We played good football in the second half. The players don’t deserve to be criticised after they put such a gallant performance. It was difficult both on the stands and inside the pitch, but both the fans and the players gave it their all under the circumstances.

I understand soccer is an emotional game, and sometimes criticising is what makes it the ‘game of billions’, but the criticism must be fair. The supporters must know that if they boo Kingston (Nkhatha) that has a negative effect to the whole team. It is maybe easy to criticise and maybe it also make people better when they criticise.

At the end I am pleased with the result and to advance to the semis. The supporters must be happy that we reached two semis of major titles in a row this season. We will continue to work hard to play the football that our supporters will identify with.

Chiefs will go into the semis hat against SuperSport United, Platinum Stars and the winner between Orlando Pirates and Golden Arrows. Pirates and Arrows game is scheduled for Wednesday, 23 October 2013. The semis are scheduled for the weekend of 2-3 November 2013.