Chiefs with quick brace

Relieve after fight by Acornbush

Imagine the amazing stories the Acornbush United players and supporters would have been telling this morning were it not for Kaizer Chiefs striker Gustavo Paez.

For a while here yesterday, Acornbush were on their way to a fairy tale victory over a full strength Amakhosi side in the Nedbank Cup last 16.

Paez, however, spoilt what would have been a party of note with a brace in the final 15 minutes of this enthralling encounter to inspire Amakhosi to a 2-1 victory.

The locals came out in their numbers, some of whom sat on top of the wall just to get a good view of the match. That’s the beauty of having big matches in areas where people are not as fortunate as those in big cities where there are World Cup stadiums.

Leading up to this game, Acornbush had made it clear that they would play without any fear of Chiefs. They were not bluffing.

They fought hard from the beginning, keeping it tight at the back whenever Amakhosi threatened their box. They were confident when in possession of the ball.

The hosts, who beat Cape Town City in the last 32, had the best chance of the first half when Mduduzi Nkosi was put through by their midfield. Nkosi did well to round Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, but with the net begging to be rattled, the left winger put his shot wide of goal.

At the other end of the pitch, Chiefs’ Joseph Molangoane forced a save from Acornbush goalkeeper Sibusiso Masuku on the break.

But Acornbush were down to 10 men just before the half hour mark, when Sandy Nyathi was shown a straight red card for a tackle on Willard Katsande.

The red card did not deter them. They defended well, clearing whatever came their way and they were soon rewarded at the other end of the pitch before half time.

Rhulani Sidumo, a Chiefs product, gave the ABC Motsepe League outfit the lead with a header from a Nkosi cross.

Acornbush defended too deeply in the second period and they were twice punished by Paez.

Elsewhere, Bloemfontein Celtic saw off Mbombela United 2-0, thanks to a brace by Fiston Razak.

The first half red card did not deter Acornbush as they defended well