Cup runneth over for Amakhosi and SuperSport

KAIZER Chiefs and SuperSport United advanced to the quarterfinals of the Telkom Cup after eliminating Maritzburg United and Ajax at the weekend.

A solitary extra-time goal by Thuso Phala secured a 1-0 win for SuperSport United over Ajax at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Saturday.

The game had to be stalled for 30 minutes in added time due to extreme weather conditions, with the Urban Warriors unable to level night.

After what was a very uneventful start to the game, the clash threatened to spark into life just short of the half-hour mark with Ronwen Williams lucky to escape a nervy moment in goal.

Tashreeq Morris’s cross from the left flank seemed rather harmless at first, but the Matsatsantsa goal-minder made an awful mess in his attempted catch with the ball slipping out matters on a cold of his hands, before bouncing narrowly wide of the goal.

SuperSport conjured their first chance at goal soon after with Kingston Nkhatha seeing his attempt go narrowly wide in the 31st minute.

Ten minutes later it was the Urban Warriors turn to spur a golden chance to open the scoring on the night.

A long ball forward caught Mairio Booysen off-guard with the SuperSport United defender unable to clear from danger – Prince Nxumalo pounced, but slipped in his attempt to steer the ball past Williams, who gathered with ease.

The visitors ended the half on the front foot with Erick Chipeta’s free-kick attempt forcing Williams into a save, with the teams deadlocked at the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern with both sides finding it difficult to break down the opposition’s defensive line.

Bradley Grobler tried and narrowly failed in his attempt to end the game within the 90 minutes, with the forward seeing two attempts in quick succession fly narrowly wide of Jody February’s goal.

Almost as punishment for failing to score in regulation time, the rain started to bucket down at the start of extra-time. The much needed rain, though, did bring a goal with Phala opening the scoring in the 92nd minute.

At the FNB Stadium Chiefs triumphed 4-2 on penalties to see themselves through over Maritzburg United .

Although the match finished 0-0 after 120 minutes, penalty strikes from Willard Kantsande, George Lebese, Lorenzo Gordinho and Keagan Buchanan ensured Amakhosi are through to the next round.

For Maritzburg, Kurt Lentjies and Deolin Mekoa missed while Brian Onyango and Bevan Fransman converted from the spot. — SuperSport.com