Posted in KC Tickets, News, Team News on Apr 11, 2023.
The road to a record 20th Nedbank Cup final and what will be a 14th Nedbank Cup triumph, takes Kaizer Chiefs to Kwa-Zulu Natal this Sunday for a quarterfinal showdown with Royal AM at the Chatsworth Stadium, outside of Durban. Amakhosi are targeting a tenth Nedbank Cup semi-final appearance since the inauguration of the PSL in 1996-97, and their first since 2019. Chiefs, the first winners of this competition in 1971, will know that getting to the last four will take a huge effort.
Amakhosi have overcome Maritzburg United and lower division Casric Stars, defeating them 2-0 and 2-1 respectively to reach the quarterfinals, and captain Kegan Dolly believes Chiefs will do all they can to reach the last four. “This is the opportunity for us to play for something,” Dolly explained, before going on to add, “This is a different game to a league game. We have to win no matter how we play. What is important for us is to get to the semi-finals”.
Historically, while they might never have won away against Royal AM - losing two league games on the road in the past to them - Amakhosi have played six of their previous twelve Nedbank Cup quarterfinal ties away from home since 1996-97, winning five of these clashes and losing just once Dolly feels that Chiefs can get a positive result on Sunday, “Royal AM are a good team but we did beat them the last time we played against them which gives us confidence for this game. We want to get into the semifinal and, ultimately, lift the cup for our supporters”.
With a favourable record at this stage of the Nedbank Cup over the years, Chiefs have a rich tradition in this tournament and midfielder Samkelo Zwane is looking to ensure that continues. “The history of the Club winning trophies is a big motivator. Being a Kaizer Chiefs player, in itself, is a motivator to lift trophies and win things for the Club and make a legacy and being remembered as a legend,” said the talented youngster.
The opportunity exists for Zwane and his Chiefs teammates to write themselves into the history books as Chiefs look for their 14th title. Chiefs’ last quarterfinal encounter in this competition was back in 2018-19, when they managed to record a routine 2-0 win over Cape Town City. Chiefs have only ever lost thrice since 1996-97 at this stage; to Baroka in 2010-11, to Free State Stars in 2011-12 and on penalties against SuperSport United in 2016-17.
Chiefs’ nine quarterfinal victories since 1996-97 have all come in normal time, with the Club’s biggest win being a 5-0 away triumph against Bloemfontein Celtic in 2000-01, a game in which Jabu Pule managed a hattrick. Chiefs have also kept nine clean sheets at this stage, conceding just four goals while scoring twenty.
The omens are good as Chiefs face Royal AM in a cup game for the first time, with Amakhosi having won nine of their previous 11 quarterfinals since 1996-97 in clashes against fellow DStv Premiership rivals.
Tickets for this quarterfinal match between the Glamour Boys and Thwihli-Thwahla are on sale throughTicketPro and other outlets including Spar Supermarkets, Sasol filling stations and Postnet at R60 per ticket. Kick-off is at 18:00 on Sunday, 16 April at Chatsworth Stadium in KZN.
