Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on May 06, 2023.
Kaizer Chiefs (0) [1] 1
(Maart 79’)
Orlando Pirates (1) [1] 2
(Erasmus 14’, Mthethwa 113’)
After extra-time
Nedbank Cup semifinal, FNB Stadium
The dreams of Kaizer Chiefs and the Amakhosi faithful of winning a major trophy were put on ice for the time being after they were agonisingly eliminated from the Nedbank Cup in a semifinal that they dominated, but ultimately lost 2-1 after extra time at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Yusuf Maart cancelled out Kermit Erasmus’ 14th-minute opening goal with just over 10 minutes of normal time remaining, sending the tie into extra-time, during which substitute, Sandile Mthethwa, popped up to head home Pirates’ winner deep into the second period.
The early stages of the encounter unfolded as the thousands who packed into the sold-out FNB Stadium would expect from a high stakes Soweto Derby, as both teams attempted to stamp some early authority on proceedings.
Amakhosi settled into a better rhythm and looked the more threatening of the two sides and it didn’t take long before they fashioned a good chance when a ball in from wide found Christian Saile inside the box, but the Congolese striker was unable to trouble Sipho Chaine in the Buccaneers’ goal.
Then, Pirates took the lead against the run of play after 14 minutes. Miguel Timm managed to squeeze a pass through to Monnapule Saleng in the Chiefs penalty area and he laid it square to Kermit Erasmus to tap the Sea Robbers into the lead.
Chiefs came roaring back and, had Maart or Saile been slightly more accurate with their respective shot and header, Amakhosi would likely have gone into the half-time break level, instead of trailing.
The Glamour Boys pushed for an equaliser from the start of the second half, first through Ashley Du Preez, who came within a whisker of latching onto Samkelo Zwane’s visionary through ball, and later via a close header from S’fiso Hlanti and a Siyethemba Sithebe shot.
Their relentless effort was finally rewarded in the 79th minute when Maart poked the ball past Chaine after Dillan Solomons picked out his diagonal run across the Pirates box with expert timing.
With their tails up and sensing Pirates were on the ropes, Chiefs pressed for a winner but Bucs held out to take the game to extra-time.
Much of the extra 30 minutes was relatively scrappy and stop-start as the exertion of the 90-odd minutes exacted a toll on the players. A robust tackle from Sithebe almost set off a full scale brawl among the players and resulted in three yellow cards issued by the referee.
With the match seemingly edging towards a penalty shootout, Pirates cruelly snatched victory from Chiefs in the 113th minute, when Mthethwa rose to head fellow substitute, Philip Ndlondlo’s cross past Brandon Petersen for the winner.
Chiefs still have a chance of qualifying for CAF continental football next season and will pick themselves up to face SuperSport United next, in a crucial DStv Premiership clash next Saturday, 13 May.
Line-ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen (1), Hlanti (23), Dove (2), Ngezana (30), Frosler (39), Sithebe (6), Zwane (37) (Shabalala (42) 64’), Maart © (8), Solomons (18) (Sekgota (14) 118’), Du Preez (9), Saile Basomboli (21) (Bimenyimana (28) 70’)
Subs not used: Bvuma (44); Nj Ngcobo (27), Kwinika (4), Alexander (17), Mashiane (19), Matlou (22)
Coach: Arthur Zwane
Orlando Pirates: Chaine (34), Sibisi (5), Xoki © (27), Shandu (26) ), Hotto (7) 45+3), Mako (29) (Monyane (2) 111’), Timm (4), Monare (16) (Mthethwa (39) 83’), Dlamini (18( Makhaula (36) 83’), Saleng (14), Dzvukamanja (37) (Ndah (33) 83’), Erasmus (95) (Ndlondlo (15) 58’)
Subs not used: Mpontshane (40), Pule (45), Ratomo (38)
Coach: Jose Riveiro
