Posted in Features, News on Sep 03, 2021.
On a balmy spring afternoon at the FNB Stadium 20 years ago Kaizer Chiefs’ ride to dizzying height of winning three trophies in four months began with victory at the FNB Stadium in the BP Top 8 Final against Mamelodi Sundowns.
A thrilling final ended 2-2 and Chiefs won 7-6 in the penalty shoot-out with Brian Baloyi an integral part of Chiefs treble success in 2001-02, saving Sundowns 7th penalty taken by Michael Manzini.
We take a look at the numbers behind Chiefs’ 2001 BP Top8 triumph.
1 – Chiefs 2001 BP Top8 triumph was their first in the Top8 in the PSL era. Muhsin Ertugral became the first Chiefs coach in the PSL era to lead them to a Top8 title.
2 – Chiefs kept two clean sheets in three games in the 2001 BP Top8 in a 2-0 home win in the Quarterfinals against Ria Stars and a 1-0 triumph over Orlando Pirates in the Semifinals. Chiefs scored five goals in the tournament, with five different players scoring the goals.
3- This was Chiefs’ third successive victory in a BP Top8 Final over Sundowns, along with victories in 1992 and 1994. Brian Baloyi featured in Chiefs’ 1994 and 2001 triumphs.
4- This was Chiefs fourth triumph in a Cup Final in the PSL era, along with two Rothmans Cups in 1997 and 1998 and the 2000 BOB Save Super Bowl. Up to this point all four of Chiefs Cup triumphs in the PSL era were against Sundowns.
5 – This was Chiefs fifth Cup Final they were competing in in the PSL Era, after the 1997 and 1998 Rothmans Cup, 1999 BOB Save Super Bowl and the 2000 BOB Save Super Bowl Finals.
6 – This was Chiefs 6th successive Cup Final win against Sundowns, after they defeated them in the 1992 and 1994 BP Top 8 Final, the 1997 and 1998 Rothmans Cup Finals, as well as the 2000 BOB Save Super Bowl Final. It was Chiefs’ second cup final win with Ertugral as the coach over Sundowns. He also defeated them in the 2000 BOB Save Super Bowl Final.
7 – Chiefs won their first BP Top8 title in seven years when they defeated Sundowns in the 2001 Final. Their previous triumph had been in 1994 also against Sundowns.
11 – Chiefs run to the 2001 BP Top8 title began on the 11th August 2001, with a 2-0 home win against Ria Stars, the goals came from Jossias Macamao and Luke Jukulile.
12 – Chiefs won their 12th BP Top8 crown in 2001.
14 – Fourteen penalties were needed in the penalty shoot-out in the final between Chiefs and Sundowns. Chiefs scored all of their 7 kicks, Sundowns scored 6 before Michael Manzini’s kick was saved by Brian Baloyi.
15 – Chiefs were competing in their 15th BP Top8 Final.
18 – Chiefs cup final hero Arthur Zwane wore the number 18 jersey with which he scored Amakhosi’s opening goal, set up the equalizer for Cyril Nzama and converted a penalty in the shoot-out.
25- Kenny Niemach signed for Chiefs on the 24th August 2001, trained one day with his new team, before scoring the only goal in the Semi-final win over Orlando Pirates the next day, which was the 25th August 2001.
90 – The minute of Cyril Nzama’s late equalizer for Chiefs off an Arthur Zwane corner. He headed past Sundowns keeper John Tlale to send the game into extra time.
7306 – It is 7306 days since Chiefs defeated Sundowns in the 2001 BP Top8 Final. In terms of years it’s 20, converted to months it is 240 months.
