Chiefs can end barren spell
Chippa United (0) 2 Kaizer Chiefs (1) 4
GOALS: Chippa United —Andile Mbenyane (63m), Lerato Manzini (70m ). Kaizer Chiefs — Dumisani Zuma (36m), Aro Andrianarimanana (75m), Bernard Parker (83m), Khama Billiat (87m)
● Kaizer Chiefs have a chance to end their trophy drought after a brilliant second-half comeback to beat Chippa United 4-2 in a pulsating Nedbank Cup semifinal at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last night.
Amakhosi looked beaten after Chippa took the lead midway through the second half.
Dumisani Zuma’s strike had given the visitors a 1-0 lead at halftime but goals by Andile Mbenyane and Lerato Manzini gave Chippa the lead.
Ernst Middendorp’s side refused to give up, storming back with an equaliser by Madagascan international Aro Andrianarimanana 15 minutes from fulltime before Bernard Parker and Khama Billiat scored to take the Glamour Boys to their first cup final since December 2015.
Chiefs will be the overwhelming favourites to lift a first trophy since 2014 when they meet National First Division side FC Galaxy at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on May 18.
Amakhosi deserved their victory and Zuma’s opening goal, though it was seen as a gift from Chippa goalkeeper Mbongeni Mzimela, came from the consistent pressure they had put on the home side in a match where 90% of close to 30,000 spectators backed them.
Zuma’s goal, a second in this competition, was an easy tap in after Mzimela fumbled Khama Billiat’s misplaced pass. But it came after Chiefs had put the Chilli Boys under fire in the first 30 minutes in which four Chippa players found themselves on yellow cards for rough tackles as the visitors raided their area in search of the opening goal.
Chippa did try to find their rhythm in the second half and their efforts looked to have paid off when they took the lead with Manzini’s tap in off Thabo Rakhale’s cross.
Once again Middendorp made a couple of changes to his starting side, this time returning Bruce Bvuma in goal, and defender Teenage Hadebe and George Maluleka partnering skipper Willard Katsande.
Ironically, to make it to their first final Galaxy beat a Lamontville Golden Arrows side that was coached by former Chiefs mentor Steve Komphela, the man who until recently had presided over an unprecedented three-year barren spell at Chiefs.