Kaizer Chiefs advanced to the Nedbank Cup semi-finals after defeating Royal AM 2-1 in extra-time on Sunday night.
Nedbank Cup
Result: Royal AM 1-2 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 16 April 2023
Venue: Chatsworth Stadium
Chiefs made two changes from the side that was held to a 1-1 draw by Marumo Gallants, as Reeve Frosler returned from injury alongside a recall for Siyethemba Sithebe, with Mduduzi Shabalala dropping to the bench while Dillan Solomons was not in the squad.
The game was tightly contested in the early stages, with Royal AM pressing Amakhosi high and not giving them time and space on the ball.
The home side, however, suffered a blow at the back on 23 minutes after former Orlando Pirates defender Happy Jele got injured and he was replaced by Lesego Manganyi.
With the game on the edge, Manganyi broke the deadlock for John Maduka's charges just before the half-hour mark with a header from a corner by Mokete Mogaila.
Arthur Zwane's charges applied the pressure after that and got the equaliser nine minutes before the break, fortuitously, after Thabo Matlaba looped a header from Edmilson Dove's chip over goalkeeper Zakahle Ngcobo and into the back of his own net.
Thwihli Thwahla were fired up to redeem themselves as Manganyi had a chance just before the interval with a header that was saved by shot-stopper Brandon Petersen.
Royal AM settled the quickest from the break as Siphesihle Msomi had a shot towards the bottom the corner that needed an out-stretched save from Petersen.
Chiefs only picked up their tempo after the hour-mark but they lacked composure in the final third and rushed their moves.
However, Zwane's men were persistent with their pressure and Sithebe almost gave them the lead in the last 14 minutes with a thunderbolt that hit the corner of the crossbar and flew wide.
The Glamour Boys had the momentum and they tried a different approach in attack in the latter stages as Mduduzi Shabalala replaced Christian Saile Basomboli.
The visitors threatened in the dying minutes with combination play but they could not break down a resilient Royal AM defence and the sides went to extra-time after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Royal AM had more attacking impetus in the opening exchanges of extra-time but they conceded a penalty on ten minutes after Ngcobo brought down Shabalala, which allowed Yusuf Maart to step up and convert from 12 yards out.
Amakhosi changed their structure with defensive changes at the beginning of the second period of extra-time, as Zitha Kwinika replaced Frosler and Njabulo Ngcobo came on for Samekelo Zwane.
Chiefs contained Royal AM in the dying minutes and looked to hit them on counter-attacks and the visitors had decent chances on the break but they could not take them as they did just enough to join Orlando Pirates, Stellenbosch and Sekhukhune United in the semi-finals.
Here's how they lined up:
Royal AM: 30. Ngcobo, 17. Mogaila, 14. Matlaba, 4. Jele, 24. Lingwati, 29. Sikakane, 7. Pelembe, 12. Mahlasela, 9. Macuphu, 2. Msomi, 11. Potsane
Subs: 25. Mpoto, 33. Sera, 26. Magaqa, 13. Manganyi, 44. Dube, 45. George, 34. Thikazi, 38. Mashiane, 42. Ncobeni.
Kaizer Chiefs: 1. Petersen, 39. Frosler, 2. Dove, 23. Hlanti, 30. Ngezana, 37. Zwane, 9. Du Preez, 6. Sithebe, 8. Maart, 10. Dolly, 21. Saile.
Subs: 16. Khune, 24. Kwinika, 27. Njabulo Ngcobo, 22. Matlou, 42. Shabalala, 19. Mashiane, 5. Mahlatsi, 28. Bimenyimana, 36. Duba
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