Kaizer Chiefs – the road to the Nedbank Cup final

Kaizer Chiefs’ saving grace this season has been their run to the final of the Nedbank Cup.

ALSO READ: Chiefs’ Nabi needs Nedbank Cup to show progress

Nasreddine Nabi’s side have been painfully inconsistent in the Betway Premiership. But in the Nedbank Cup they have already seen off Stellenbosch and Sundowns. And they will now face Pirates in Saturday’s final.

Phakaaathi takes a look at Chiefs’ run to the final, including that magnificent semifinal victory over Masandawana.

Kaizer Chiefs road to the final

Last 32

Kaizer Chiefs 4 Free Agents 0

Kaizer Chiefs had suffered an ignominious exit at this stage of the competition last year. They were knockout out on penalties by Motsepe Foundation Championship side Milford FC.

This time, however, there was never any danger of an upset. Amakhosi romped past Gauteng ABC Motsepe League side Free Agents.

Pule Mmodi scored a brace to put Chiefs 2-0 up by half time and second half goals from Inacio Miguel and Ranga Chivaviro ensured that Chiefs cruised to victory at FNB Stadium.

Last 16

Kaizer Chiefs 3 Chippa United 0

Chiefs were handed another home tie in the last 16 as Chippa United visited FNB Stadium. And Gaston Sirino settled any nerves with a brilliant opener. The Urguayan lashed Reeve Frosler’s cross first time into the top corner in the 13th minute.

Chippa did threaten at times and Bruce Bvuma did well to tip over Giovanni Philander’s effort. Amakhosi, however, wrapped up the tie with two goals in the last 13 minutes.

First Chippa goalkeeper Stanley Nwabail appeared to bring down Pule Mmodi and Mduduza Shabalala in quick succession inside the penalty area. Miguel stepped up and slotted in the spot kick. Then Nwabali spilled Ranga Chivaviro’s long-range shot and Mmodi was on hand to fire in the rebound.

Quarterfinals

Stellenbosch FC 1 Kaizer Chiefs 3

Kaizer Chiefs faced a tricky trip to Stellenbosch for the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup, though it wasn’t perhaps as tricky as it could have been.

A lack of suitable venue in the Western Cape meant that the match was moved to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.

Chiefs were quite literally handed a 20th minute lead as Ishmael Toure raised his arm to prevent a cross reaching Gaston Sirino’s head. Miguel scored his second penalty of the competition.

Stellies equalised with just five minutes left as unmarked substitute Andre De Jong headed in from a corner.

There was some controversy around Chiefs’ second goal in stoppage time. Stellies goalkeeper Sage Stephens clearly felt he was fouled as an inswinging corner hit Miguel, and fell kindly for Mmodi to grab his fourth goal of the competition.

Chiefs wrapped it up at the death as with Stephens having come forward for a corner, Mfundo Vilakazi raced clear to tap into an empty net.

Semifinals

Mamelodi Sundowns 1 Kaizer Chiefs 2

This was a game that only the most enthusiastic of Chiefs fans could have predicted their side winning.

An all-conquering Sundowns were expected to hand Amakhosi their latest lesson, having already beaten them twice in the league and in a 4-0 Carling Knockout quarterfinal hammering.

It all seemed to be going to plan for Miguel Cardoso’s side when Teboho Mokoena smashed in a brilliant free kick on the stroke of half time.

But Chiefs came out fired up after the break, and an error from Sundowns defender Lucas Suarez was pounced on by Wandile Duba, who netted the equaliser.

ALSO READ: Chiefs’ Nabi hopes to turn fan ‘missiles’ into Nedbank Cup glory

And with two minutes left, their was pandemonium among the away fans at Loftus, as Ashley Du Preez turned in George Matlou’s cross. Du Preez was clearly in an offside position, but the officials missed it, and Chiefs had booked their place in the final.