adminTelkom Knockout trophy semi-final with a 1-0 win over league strugglers Jomo Cosmos yesterday.
The big goalkeeper will now be the only Zimbabwean left in the tournament following the last of the weekend’s quarter-final ties.
Gilbert Mapemba and Oscar Machapa could not help Moroka Swallows in their 1-2 losing cause to Orlando Pirates at home on Saturday night while Khama Billiat and Tafadzwa Rusike’s Ajax Cape Town fell by the wayside after being edged 2-1 by Golden Arrrows.
Holders Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns who have the bulk of Zimbabwean contingent in South Africa were inactive after being bundled out in the first round.
Bidvest Wits moved into the last four of the Telkom Knockout with a hard-fought but deserved quarter-final victory at Sinaba Stadium when midfielder Sibusiso Vilakazi scored the only goal of the game in the first half. In what was an uninspiring game played in energy-sapping heat the Clever Boys were the more creative and positive of the two teams and would have racked up a more comprehensive score line were it not for some good saves by Jomo Cosmos goalkeeper Avril Phali.
Wits enjoyed the lion’s share of ball possession in the first half and dictated play against a Cosmos team whose game plan extended no further than launching long balls down field.
Bamuza Sono, son to club owner and coach Jomo Sono, was the only player who showed any initiative in the home team’s attack, and 10 minutes before the break he played a fantastic through ball to put Nontshinga one-on-one with goalkeeper Murambadoro.
However, the striker, who has been called up to the national team, completely fluffed the chance. The Clever Boys duly broke the deadlock on 26 minutes, with midfielder Vilakazi controlling a cross in the penalty area before firing home from close range.
Cosmos’ defending for the goal was appalling, as centre-backs Ousmane Berthe and Thapelo Tshilo both missed what should have been a simple headed clearance and left Vilakazi completely unmarked.
At Cape Town stadium, the hosts were stunned by Golden Arrows who also denied champions Kaizer Chiefs a chance to defend their title in the first round. The Durban side made good use of the few chances that came their way, while Ajax struggled to trouble the visitors’ goal, despite having the bulk of the play.
With 20 minutes to go, Ajax winger Billiat had a couple of attempts from distance, but both were well dealt with by Arrows goalkeeper da Rocha.
Arrows Thanduyise Khuboni converted from the spot in the first half while 10 minutes after the restart, Ajax fought back, with substitute Granwald Scott sweeping in a left-footed shot.
Ajax were to pay the price for some hesitant defending with nine minutes left as the KZN side went back in front via Thamsanga Gabuza.
There was also no joy for Mapemba who played the entire match for Swallows while Machapa did not feature as Swallows rollercoaster came to a halt when they lost to Soweto Giants Pirates in a local derby at Dobsonville.
Both teams had settled for a 1-1 draw in a midweek league clash at Orlando Stadium but this time Pirates made sure with a brace from former Bafana Bafana forward Benni MCarthy. Swallows were the first to score in the 66th minute they were rewarded for their efforts when Luvhengo Mungomeni made up for his first-half miss with the Bird’s opening goal.
Initially, a corner-kick was whipped into the box by Mapemba and Siyabonga Nomvethe managed to get onto the end of it with his knee and as the ball headed towards the back of the net, the ball looked to have crossed the goal line, but Pirates goalkeeper Moneeb Josephs flapped it away.
Instead of stopping and appealing for a goal, Nomvethe followed up on the save that was palmed into the left side of the box. Nomvethe, getting to the rebound first, then pulled the ball back across the face of goal where Mungomeni side-footed home from a couple yards out.
Six minutes later, though Pirates hit back in spectacular fashion when McCarthy stood over a 35-yard free-kick which hit the top right hand corner. In the 79th minute, Mungomeni was the villain when he tried to dribble out of defence and lost the ball after being tackled by Oupa Manyisa and McCarthy, unmarked, scored. The semi final draw will be conducted today with Santos who beat Platinum,
Orlando Pirates, Bidvest Wits and Golden Arrows going into the hat – SuperSport/Sports Reporter.
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