CAF Champions League
Result: Simba 3-0 Kaizer Chiefs (3-4 agg)
Date: 22 May 2021
Venue: Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium
Kaizer Chiefs have advanced to the CAF Champions League for the first time despite suffering a 3-0 defeat to Simba SC on Saturday afternoon.
Amakhosi made only one change from the 4-0 win in the first-leg, as Leonardo Castro replaced the injured Dumisani Zuma while shot-stopper Itumeleng Khune was not in the matchday squad despite travelling with the team.
After defending deep in the early stages, Chiefs had a big chance in the 12th minute from corner, with Castro getting a free header but glanced his effort wide.
Gavin Hunt's charges had only themselves to blame for conceding in the 24th minute after they were caught high up the pitch from a counter-attack, as John Bocco fired home a low strike from Clatous Chama's through ball.
The Reds of Msimbazi were fired up after that as Bocco and Chama came very close in quick succession two minutes later but their point-blank strikes were brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma.
Siyabonga Ngezana had a great chance to score an away goal for Chiefs ten minutes before the break after being left unmarked at the back post but his low strike was saved by shot-stopper Aishi Manula before Bvuma was on hand to deny Bocco once again.
Chiefs continued to play deep in their own half coming from the break and were punished, as Bocco made it 2-0 for Simba 11 minutes into the second stanza with a close range finish into a gaping net after the visitors deflected a cross away from Bvuma.
Hunt responded with a double defensive change four minutes later, as he brought on Willard Katsande and Anthony Akumu in place of Samir Nurkovic and Lebogang Manyama.
Njabulo Blom had a rare chance on a counter-attack for Amakhosi in the 67th minute after going through inside the box but his lob sailed over the bar and he pulled his hamstring on the spot and was replaced by Kearyn Baccus.
Didier Gomes' troops kept on piling the pressure and Bocco came very close to pulling the third goal back on aggregate in the last ten minutes with a cracking strike from range that came off the crossbar.
Chama eventually got the third goal for Simba in the last four minutes, placing a low strike into the bottom corner, but Amakhosi held on for dear life to secure their spot in the last four.
Here's how they started:
Chiefs: Bvuma, Cardoso, Ngezana, Mathoho, Zulu, Frosler, Blom, Manyama, Parker, Castro, Nurkovic
Subs: Akpeyi, Mphahlele, Agay, Baccus, Kambole, Katsande, Ngcobo, Mashiane, Sasman
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