adminKaizer Chiefs have advanced to the final of the 2015 Telkom Knockout thanks to a 6-5 penalty shootout win over Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium on Saturday. The match finished goalless after extra time.
The Buccaneers created the better chances in the match, but a superb performance from Chiefs goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo — who only played due to an injury to Itumeleng Khune — saw the Amakhosi claim revenge for the defeat they suffered at the hands of their rivals in last weekend’s league derby.
Chiefs created the first clear chance of the match in the seventh minute, with George Lebese springing the offside trap to get in behind the defence before his left-footed shot was well saved by Siyabonga Mpontshane.
The subsequent corner kick from Siphiwe Tshabalala fell right at the feet of Ivan Bukenya, but the Uganda utility man was unable to keep his first-time effort down, with the ball ballooning over the crossbar from close range.
Lebese had another half-chance on 20 minutes after Tshabalala’s clever chip into the box, but the attacker was unable to direct his lob on target under pressure from the goalkeeper and a couple of defenders.
Pirates’ best chance of the first half arrived in the 37th minute, with Kermit Erasmus’ free kick finding Siyabonga Sangweni unmarked at the back post — the defender’s initial header was superbly saved by Brilliant Khuzwayo and his follow-up was quickly closed down.
Just a minute later Bukenya had another good scoring opportunity when he got on the end of Tshabalala’s free kick, but with only the ’keeper to beat he was unable to direct a header on target.
The first chances of the second half went the way of the Buccaneers: in the 54th minute Mpho Makola shot on goal direct from a free kick, with the ball taking a deflection which forced Khuzwayo into a fine save, and the ’keeper made an excellent stop shortly thereafter to keep out a volley from Erasmus.
In the 62nd minute Bucs had their best chance when Issa Sarr played a simple ball down the middle of the park which allowed Thamsanqa Gabuza to outsprint substitute Lorenzo Gordinho, but the Pirates striker saw his low shot saved by Khuzwayo.
The Chiefs ’keeper saved his team again in injury time at the end of the regulation 90, keeping out a low shot from substitute Menzi Masuku, who had been brilliantly set up by Erasmus.
Extra time saw no genuine chances for either team, leaving the game to be settled by penalties. The Amakhosi were able to hold their nerve better in the shootout, with Bucs’ Siyabonga Sangweni the unfortunate player to see his kick in sudden death strike the crossbar.
Chiefs will play in the Telkom Knockout final on December 16 against either SuperSport United or Mamelodi Sundowns. — Supersport
derick.khumalo