Chiefs prevail over Winelands outfit
at Moses Mabhida Stadium
A buzzing but toothless Kaizer Chiefs kept alive their slim hopes of getting at least one piece of silverware this season when they brushed aside First Division outfit Stellenbosch FC 2-1 to qualify for the last eight of the Nedbank Cup in Durban last night.
Eric Mathoho’s header from Bernard Parker's corner in the 27th minute and Leonardo Castro’s fine finish in the 65th were enough to ensure Steve Komphela’s side joins Baroka FC, Ubuntu Cape Town and Free State Stars in the quarterfinals.
Stellenbosch did, however, create a tense last 14 minutes for Chiefs fans when they pulled a goal back through defender Alan Robertson, who beat Itumeleng Khune with a close header from Iqraam Rayners’ corner.
But given Amakhosi’s unconvincing performance in this match their progress in this competition will depend on the strength of their opponents in the last eight.
When the draw is made in Cape Town on Thursday Amakhosi will be hoping to avoid the big guns that might include Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates and league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who play their last-16 matches on Wednesday and Tuesday respectively.
With the possession and acres of space that Chiefs were afforded by their frozen opponents in this match, the score again showed how blunt Komphela’s team is in front of goal.
Had Siphiwe Tshabalala and Parker taken the gilt-edged chances they had in the first half, and Joseph Molangoane not missed an empty net in the 61st minute, Chiefs would have gone home with a healthier victory.
There were some good build up in the midfield by Willard Katsande, Tshabalala and Molangoane but the final ball and finishing left much to be desired for the over 10 000 Chiefs fans in attendance.
Still smarting from their demoralising 3-1 league loss to Pirates last week, Komphela tried a new combination up front, surprisingly leaving top scorer Ryan Moon on the bench to test Leonardo Castro and Parker.
But the duo seem to get in each other’s way at times as they tended to fetch the ball deep in the middle, leaving no target man to aim at when they had the ball.