A grudge match on the cards for Chiefs against Downs in Carling Knockout
Chiefs have drawn their nemesis Sundowns in the quarterfinals of the Carling Knockout, less than a month after the two sides met in the premiership.
A grudge match is on the cards for arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns as they were drawn for a quarterfinal clash of the Carling Knockout on October 20.
This comes after their acrimonious Betway Premiership clash on September 28 at the FNB Stadium in which the Yellow Machine triumphed 2–1, prompting a missile-throwing incident by AmaKhosi faithful, for which the club has just been slapped with a R150 000 fine.
Read more: Chiefs penalised for spectator violence against Downs
In that match, the Soweto Glamour Boys squeezed a smash-and-grab goal past Downs keeper Ronwen Williams in the last minute of the game. The goal was disallowed for offside, which prompted the missile-throwing incident.
Less than a month after that clash, Chiefs and Downs will have to battle it out again, but this time on the different platform of the Carling Knockout on a date and time still yet to be announced by the Premier Soccer League after consultations with the sponsors, Carling Black Label.
On the other hand, fellow Soweto giants Orlando Pirates, a side that has acquired the tag of being the cup specialists after winning the MTN 8 and defending it twice in a row and the Nedbank Cup and defending it once, was sent packing in the first round of the Carling Knockout by maidens of the premiership, Magesi FC, by a 3–2 score line in the Buccaneers’ backyard of Orlando Stadium on October 19.
Also read: Chiefs fail to tame a rampant Downs at FNB
The rookies have dispelled an Alex News preview of the match as ‘a walk in the park’ for the Bucs. The Sea Robbers could have been four or so goals up before the break had it not been for poor finishing.
The rookies opened the scoring in the 32nd minute of the game through the boot of Delano Abrahams, followed by an own goal from Thabiso Sesane in the 38th minute as he attempted to clear the ball, but instead knocked it into his own goal.
Buoyed by the two goals, Magesi grew in confidence as they started knocking the ball around with purpose in their build-up to the opposition’s goalposts. Deolin Mekoa was tripped inside the box and the referee awarded a penalty.
The Rookie’s skipper led from the front and volunteered to take the penalty, which was punched by the keeper back into play but the ball found the taker’s header which buried it into the back of the net for a 3–0 score line into the break.
Bucs’ Kabelo Dlamini pulled one back for The Ghosts in the 85th minute as Magesi threw all their men into defence and the game dangerously played in their own half as the Buccaneers fought hard to turn the tables. They were rewarded when substitute Evidence Makgopa drilled his powerful shot that rattled the back of the net.
A last-minute smash-and-grab equaliser was ruled offside, and, as in the Kaizer Chiefs-Mamelodi Sundowns Betway encounter, missiles started pouring into the pitch, which prompted by a club call for calm.
The full quarterfinal draw:
Richards Bay versus Cape Town City.
Kaizer Chiefs versus Mamelodi Sundowns.
TS Galaxy versus Magesi.
Marumo Gallants versus Stellenbosch.
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