Posted in Match Report, News on Aug 12, 2017.
Kaizer Chiefs 0
SuperSport United (1) 1 (Brockie 6’)
What Happened?
Kaizer Chiefs dominated most of the MTN8 quarterfinal against SuperSport United, but, against the run of play, couldn’t find the back of the net, while the opponent’s did. The match was played at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening.
Amakhosi started with more or less the same line-up as for the recent 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates in the Carling Black Label Champions Cup.
Siphiwe Tshabalala returned to the starting XI, replacing Joseph Molangoane. ‘Shabba’ missed the Soweto Derby due to an injury.
There was a magnificent atmosphere at the stadium with the Amakhosi supporters dancing and singing throughout the match, being fully behind the team.
Chiefs started well, but got an early set-back when Jeremy Brockie scored for Matsantsantsa in the sixth minute. The goal was the result of a quick counter-attack and some good combination play between Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Bradley Grobler and, eventually, Brockie, who tucked inside from the right before putting the ball past Itumeleng Khune.
The home side took complete control of the game from about halfway the first half, creating several chances.
Gustavo Páez made some good runs, while Bernard Parker was close to scoring a few times. Hendrick Ekstein was another who was unlucky not to score in the first half.
SuperSport, meanwhile, seemed happy to absorb to pressure and to counter-attack whenever getting the opportunity to do so.
The second half was more or less a repeat of the latter stages of the first 45 minutes, with the Glamour Boys having most of the possession.
A variety of chances again came Chiefs’ way, the best coming for Parker (a header hitting the post) and Molangoane (a shot hitting the crossbar).
Coach Steve Komphela made some changes, bringing on Molangoane (for Parker) and Bhongolethu Jayiya (for Mphahlele), making his official debut in the Gold & Black jersey.
However, it didn’t help scoring the much-needed goal. Amakhosi did eventually find the back of the net in optional time, but the goal was ruled offside and therefore didn’t count.
It was, sadly enough, one of those days. Chiefs were completely dominating the game, but it wasn’t to be.
Key moment in the match:
There were several key moments, in the sense that at least three times the sidebar or the post was hit. Siphiwe Tshabalala, Bernard Parker and Joseph Molangoane were involved in these actions. Luck didn’t seem to be with Amakhosi on the day.
Most Valuable Player (MVP):
SuperSport United’s Morgan Gould was selected as the Man of the Match, but Willard Katsande was a rock again in the central midfield role for the Glamour Boys. He won balls, tackled, got involved and showed that passion to do everything to try and win the game.
What it means:
It means that Kaizer Chiefs are out of the MTN8 and, instead, SuperSport United will progress to the semi-finals.
Kaizer Chiefs 11: Khune; Mphahlele (Jayiya 82’), Mathoho, Gordinho, Masilela; Ekstein, Katsande, Maluleka, Tshabalala; Parker (Molangoane 73’), Páez
Subs not used: Sixhaso, Cardoso, Buchanan, Jayiya, Zulu, Malope
SuperSport United 11: Williams; Kekana, Gould, Daniels (Mashamaite 80’), Modiba; Alexander (Phala 46’), Furman, Letsholonyane, Wome (Nhlapo 68’); Brockie, Grobler
Subs not used: Pieterse, Mokoena, Mbule, Nkhatha
Next Match: Kaizer Chiefs will next face Bloemfontein Celtic on the road at Bloemfontein’s Free State Stadium on Sunday, 20 August (kick-off is at 15:00).