Cape Town City (1) 1
(Van Heerden 23’)

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 2
( Du Preez 36’, Castillo 90+4’)

Athlone Stadium

Kaizer Chiefs moved to their 15th PSL Era MTN8 Semi-final after coming through a major test in their quarterfinal against Cape Town City at the Athlone Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Amakhosi showed phenomenal spirit and determination to come from a goal down to win the game 2-1.

Chiefs were trailing after Mark Van Heerden headed the hosts into the lead on 23 minutes. Ashley Du Preez brought Chiefs level on 36 minutes, and Edson Castillo scored the game winner deep into the referee’s optional time in a drama-filled afternoon in the Mother City.

A very attack-minded Chiefs began the game with a positive mindset, with Pule Mmodi finding himself in good positions early on. Chiefs though, despite a bright start, found themselves a goal down in the 23rd minute. Taahir Goedeman was able to run the ball in from the right as Chiefs looked to initially clear a corner. Van Heerden rose above Reeve Frosler to connect with Goedeman’s cross and headed it powerfully towards goal. Even though Chiefs keeper Brando Pietersen was able to push the ball away, it has already crossed the line.

Despite conceding Chiefs kept their heads up and some good work from Du Preez saw Yusuf Maart eventually found in space on the edge of the 18 yard area, where he went for goal and sent his effort just wide of goal.

It was the industrious Du Preez who brought Chiefs level on 36 minutes. As Chiefs attacked quickly on the counter, with Mduduzi Mdantsane setting Du Preez on his way, the pacy forward raced away from Keano Cupido and, with just Darren Keet to beat, hit the ball powerfully to the right of the goalkeeper spectacularly bringing Chiefs back into the game.

Du Preez showing great athleticism to beat the City defenders and displayed calmness under pressure to complete what was an exceptional team move that began inside Chiefs’ own 18 yard area, with five players involved in the move.

As halftime bore down, Tebogo Potsane should have given Chiefs the leaf but hesitated in going at goal and the City defence were able to come back an clear the danger.

The first half ended 1-1.

Into the second half and Chiefs were living on the edge, with Darwin Zapata stealing the ball off Chiefs keeper Petersen in the 58^th minute. The Amakhosi net minder was able to recover when City eventually had a go at goal and he was able to make the stop.

With the second half proving to be more physical than the first, chances were at a premium, though Chiefs did manage to create a goalscoring opportunity in the 79th minute. Du Preez swung in a corner form the left which Given Msimango managed to rise highest to meet but his glancing header went wide of goal. With 10 minutes to go Christian Saile was fed the ball down the left from Edson Castillo and was able to get into the City 18 yard area but shot straight at City keeper Darren Keet.

With the 90 minutes coming to an end Chiefs launched a counter-attack with Du Preez’s well flighted cross from the right falling perfectly to Saile, who attacked the ball and got there ahead of Keet, but all he could do was watch in agony as his effort from close range struck the woodwork.

Just as the capacity crowd at Athlone Stadium were preparing for extra time, Chiefs managed to score the game winner, with Saile sending a cross from the right to the opposite end, where Castillo was able to meet the ball, sending it between the legs of Keet to put Chiefs ahead four minutes into stoppage time.

The drama, though, was not over as seven minutes into referee’s added time at the end of the game, Jó Paciência’s rattled the Chiefs cross bar with a shot from distance. Oon the follow-up, Thabo Nodada made contact with the ball but Reeve Frosler was able to clear the ball off the goal line, as Chiefs held on to progress to the last four.

Fact of the match: For the second season in a row Ashley Du Preez managed to bring Chiefs back into and MTN8 Quarterfinal, he scored the equaliser last season when Chiefs eventually defeated Stellenbosch on penalties in the 2022-23 Quarterfinals.

Line Ups: 

Cape Town City: Keet; Mkhize, Mokeke, Ambina, van Heerden ( Fielies 64’), Cupido, Zapata ( Nyama 64’), Rhodes, Mendoza Gonzales, Mayo (Paciencia 80’), Goedeman (Nodada 80’),

Subs not used: Mpandle, Mokhuoane, Sifumba, Gordino, Nodada, Slatsha,

Coach: Eric Tinkler

Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen, Hlanti, Ditlhokwe (Nj Ngcobo 64’), Msimango, Frosler, Maart, Castillo, Mdantsane, Potsane (Basomboli 70’), Mmodi (Chivaviro 70’), Du Preez (Zwane 90+7’).

Subs not used: Bvuma; Kwinika, Nk Ngcobo, Shabalala, Radebe.

Coach: Molefi Ntseki