Amakhosi through to the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup


By Neo Poho

Kaizer Chiefs had to dig deep into extra time to claim a 2-0 victory against Maritzburg United in the Nedbank Cup last 32 on Friday night.

At a packed Harry Gwala Stadium, Chiefs' new signee Christian Saile scored his first goal for the club in the second minute of extra time while a perfectly executed goal by Ashley Du Preez set the crowd into a frenzy in the second half of extra time to seal the victory for Arthur Zwane's men.

Maritzburg United captain Travis Graham was sent off late in the first half after receiving a second bookable offence for his tackle on Mduduzi Shabalala and that proved to work in Chiefs' favour as they dominated much of the second half.

Amakhosi threw everything at Maritzburg United in the second 45 in a bid to break the deadlock but the Team of Choice goalkeeper King Ndlovu was the difference between the two sides with great saves.

With Zwane bringing in the changes and changing the team's technical approach it was only a matter of time before the Glamour Boys would get a goal and that proved to be the case when Saile scored in the 92nd minute.

Chiefs then consolidated matters yet still attacking Maritzburg United in the second half of extra time, the attack produced a goal when Happy Mashiane's pin point cross found Du Preez who finished with ease to give Amakhosi the much needed second goal of the match.

It was a convincing win for Amakhosi who join the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns, Dondol Stars and Sekhukhune United just to name a few in the last 16 of the tournament.

Man of the match Siyabonga Ngezana dedicated the man of the match award to teammate Reeve Frosler, "This award goes out to Reeve while he is still on injury and the whole team because it was certainly a team effort," Ngezana said.

Meanwhile Amakhosi coach Arthur Zwane admitted that they should have sealed the victory in the second half of the match, Zwane further alluded that they need to work on the final passes in the box and put more power behind the ball.

"We still have to work on our composure too, there were some clear cut chances that we let slip because of lack of composure in the box however, I am happy with the result and with the fact that we managed to keep a clean sheet," Zwane added.

More Nedbank Cup action is coming up on Saturday when All Stars FC welcome Orlando Pirates at the Bidvest Stadium while Stellenbosch FC will host Swallows FC at the Athlone Stadium and Pretoria Callies will travel to KZN for a date with Golden Arrows at the Princess Magogo Stadium.

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Football

Nedbank Cup

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