“We wanted to see ourselves in the quarterfinals,” reflected coach Steve Komphela after Amakhosi progressed to the next round of the Telkom Knockout at the expense of Maritzburg United.

“The priority in a knockout competition is to progress to the next stage. And thanks, we scrapped through this round. The performance was uninspiring but after a win you are able to rectify the performance going to the next match.”

Amakhosi paved their way through to the quarterfinal draw through penalties after the two sides failed to find the back of the net during regulation and extra time.

“There are areas where we did not tick the boxes,” lamented Komphela. “We will be going through the recordings to find the details that we must work on. Maritzburg played a typical Ernst Middendorp-game, with five at the back and three players running at us. Lentjies was their main instigator. We dealt well with their threat though; and at times we survived their onslaught.”

The Amakhosi were guilty of not converting the early chances they got in the match. “We had clear one-on-one opportunities early in the match,” said Komphela. “We should have simplified things early in the game.”

Chiefs will go to the quarterfinal draw on Thursday with Orlando Pirates, Highlands Park, Supersport United, Baroka FC, Cape Town City, Free State Stars and the winner between Mamelodi Sundowns and Polokwane City. The draw will be conducted on Thursday, 27 October, after the Sundowns and City match.

“We are looking forward to the quarterfinal draw,” said Komphela. “Our aim is very clear. That is to take it one game at the time, but also to anticipate reaching the final and lifting the trophy.”