A superb strike by Siphiwe Tshabalala earned Kaizer Chiefs a semifinal berth in the Telkom Knockout Cup when they beat SuperSport United 1-0 at the Loftus Stadium on Sunday.
Ironically, SuperSport had the better chances to win the game but bad finishing and the crossbar denied the hosts victory while Tshabalala, with Chiefs’ best chance of the game, placed himself in the big box to coolly beat Dennis Onyanga in goal and guarantee his team a place in the semifinals of South Africa’s richest cup tournament.
Chiefs’ veteran winger Arthur Zwane had a storming game on the right flank and gave his team a continuous attacking option. In the 10th minute Zwane beat the United offside trap and could have set up a scoring chance for one of his teammates, but the winger went alone and his attempt to score was cleared for a corner.
Earlier, Chiefs captain Shaun Bartlett flashed a header wide of goal from a Tshabalala corner and it seemed the Soweto club’s goal drought would continue. Tinashe Nengomashe tested Onyanga from 25m out but the keeper was alert and palmed the ball over his goal posts.
Just like Chiefs, SuperSport have lacked a finishing touch in recent games and when Sibusiso Mahlangu raced on to goal with only Itumeleng Khune to beat, he pulled his shot wide and it was clear why goals are not coming easily come to the pay-channel-owned team.
On the stroke of half-time Tshabalala split the United defence with a well weighted pass to Kaizer Motaung Jnr, but Onyanga was quick off his line to deny the Chiefs heir a scoring chance.
The teams went in to the break tied at 0-0.
Four minutes after the break SuperSport defender Bongani Khumalo rose high above Fabian McCarthy to head a Dane Klate free kick. His effort crashed against the crossbar with Khune well beaten.
SuperSport rued their missed chances when Tshabalala netted the winner. The dreadlocked player started the move and finished it off with an accurate shot past Onyanga at the near post.
More chances were created by SuperSport but Chiefs, and in particular Tshabalala, were more patient going forward and, when it mattered, more clinical.
Chiefs join Mamelodi Sundowns, Bloemfontein Celtic and Free State Stars in the semifinals of a Cup worth R4,25-million. — Sapa