Late Magic saves Chiefs
LAST-16: MOTSEPE LEAGUE MINNOWS GIVE AMAKHOSI TOUGH CUP BATTLE
The final 3-0 score flattered the Soweto giants in PE.
The final score may look emphatic at 3-0, but Kaizer Chiefs were made to sweat as they limped on to the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup, needing over 115 minutes to find a goal that opened their way past ABC Motsepe League minnows The Magic FC at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium yesterday afternoon.
It took an extra-time penalty from Daniel Cardoso, a goal from Philani Zulu and one from Khama Billiat for the Soweto giants to win 3-0 and go through to the last eight where the competition gets more tougher with only TS Galaxy remaining from the lower divisions.
Ernst Middendorp’s side started well, but didn’t really push too hard in the first half and the only real chance fell to Ryan Moon who saw his shot cannon off the upright with Magic keeper Bulelani Cola beaten.
Chiefs made a change at halftime with Pule Ekstein going off for Billiat, but it took the nifty Zimbabwean a while to get going and he found his groove in extra time as he earned the penalty.
While Chiefs pinned Magic back at the start of the second half with Happy Mashiane curling in some great crosses from the left, the minnows almost shocked the Soweto giants on the counter and could have opened the scoring had Wade Crowie taken his time when he found himself with space inside the Chiefs box in the 65th minute. He hurried his shot and ballooned the ball over the bar.
But the game’s best chance came in the 74th minute.
The ball fell to Leonardo Castro who found himself in space and only the Magic keeper to beat but he lashed the ball high and wide. Amakhosi had plenty of other chances but they just could not find the back of the net and the match went on into extra time.
It looked as if Middendorp’s men would finally get their goal when Dumisani Zuma was gifted the ball by a Magic player’s defensive error. His initial shot was saved by Cola, but it fell for Billiat who aimed for the open goal, but a Magic defender appeared from nowhere to clear the ball and keep the scores level.
Magic were however finally broken when a penalty was awarded against them after Billiat was brought down inside the box and Cardoso converted.
Zulu and Billiat spared them further blushes.
TS Galaxy beat Jomo Cosmos 1-0 to reach the last eight as well.