Vries to Chiefs’ rescue
Amakhosi’s fringe stars secure fraught cup win
Kaizer Chiefs advanced to the quarterfinals of the Telkom Knockout after beating a stubborn Black Leopards side 4-2 on penalties, thanks to goalkeeper Virgil Vries’s heroics as the Namibian shot-stopper saved two penalties. Hendrick Ekstein’s neat finish four minutes after the hour mark sent the match into extra time, cancelling out Phathutshedzo Nange’s brilliant first half strike, which had handed the visitors the advantage. Chiefs made a few changes from their regular starting line-up, notably Vries taking Itumeleng Khune’s spot in goal. Eric Mathoho was given a rare start, partnering Mario Booysen at the heart of defence, replacing usual suspects Siyabonga Ngezana and Daniel Cardoso. Leopards should have taken the lead in the second minute of the match but Zambian attacker Mwape Musonda lost sight of the ball at his feet before Chiefs goalkeeper Vries thwarted the danger. Musonda’s early attempt proved a wake-up call for the hosts as they started to show an acute sense of urgency and purpose in their attack. But the likes of Ekstein and Willard Katsande squandered glorious opportunities to restore parity.
After taking control of the match midway through the first stanza, Amakhosi began to be somehow overconfident, attacking as a unit and leaving only Booysen at the back, which resulted in Lidoda Duvha breaking the deadlock when Nange rattled a ferocious shot to beat a hapless Vries 10 minutes before the half-time break.
The Glamour Boys nearly levelled matters a few minutes before the break only for Bernard Parker’s 20-yard shot to hit the upright. Moments into the second period, racing against the clock, Chiefs coach Solinas made a double change. Ryan Moon and Kabelo Mahlasela replaced Gustavo Paez and Philani Zulu respectively. A minute after these changes, Ekstein brought Amakhosi back into it, controlling a high ball before poking home. Extra-time followed and as Leopards retreated, penalties seemed inevitable. In the shootout, Vries was an instant hero, stopping two Lidoda Duvha kicks before Moon fired Amakhosi into tomorrow’s quarterfinal draw. Elsewhere, SuperSport United also required penalties to beat Polokwane City at Peter Mokaba Stadium. The teams had been tied 1-1 after extra time.
Bloemfontein Celtic coach Steve Komphela does not foresee a crisis in the team as they will have lost their two best defenders by the end of the year. Celtic have already begun life without instrumental defender Alfred Ndengane, whose contract was terminated earlier in the month. The club released Ndengane to alleviate the burden on the books at the cash-strapped Free State side. He is linked with Orlando Pirates. Phunya Sele Sele are also preparing to lose Lorenzo Gordinho who is set to make a return to Kaizer Chiefs. His loan deal expires at the end of December.
“We can’t cry over spilt milk. Alfred was an integral part of the team. He won footballer of the month (for August) and had great influence,” Komphela said.
“When one goes the other grabs his opportunity. [Wandisile] Letlabika is in. When Gordinho goes someone has to step up. It could be Thato Lingwati or somebody… we will cross that bridge when we get there.” Celtic were eliminated from the Telkom Knockout after a 1-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns at the weekend. Komphela said: “I am proud of how they played; what we need to do is to score goals .” The exit means another opportunity to end his silverware drought passes Komphela by, as he looks for his first cup title as a coach.
The Kroonstad-born tactician says when he leads a team it’s not about his own goals.
“It’s never personal, it’s more about the process. There are more important things than my ambitions.”
‘‘ There are more things than my ambitions