Kaizer Chiefs were recently eliminated from the MTN8 by Mamelodi Sundowns in controversial fashion last Saturday after they were denied what appeared to be a clear penalty late in stoppage time at the end of the semifinal second-leg at Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe stadium in Atteridgeville.
Mdu Mdantsane appeared to be fouled inside the Sundowns penalty area by Thapelo Maseko, only for referee, Luxolo Badi to wave legitimate appeals away.
With Sundowns leading 2-1, and 3-2 on aggregate, an equalising goal would have put Amakhosi through to the final on the away goals rule if the match had finished 2-2.
Amakhosi were ultimately undone by goals in the first and last 10 seconds of the first half, both scored by Peter Shalulile, which effectively negated Ashley Du Preez’s penalty that briefly restored parity in the tie.
Despite going into the game as underdogs, Molefi Ntseki’s team will be bitterly disappointed to go out in such a way, after putting in a performance that deserved a better outcome.
From the opening whistle, Du Preez played the ball back to Brandon Petersen whose attempted clearance was charged down by Shalulile bearing down on him and the Namibian guided the ball into the net.
Amakhosi responded to the shock with a measured calmness and stuck to their original game plan of pressing high up the pitch. It worked to good effect as Amakhosi players swarmed all over their opponents, forcing them into uncharacteristic errors.. Du Preez, Pule Mmodi and George Matlou in particular, constantly denied Sundowns time on the ball and turned over possession to create dangerous threats, including efforts from Du Preez, Mmodi and Yusuf Maart that required saving from Ronwen Williams.
Chiefs got their just rewards after 33 minutes when, having forced a series of three consecutive corners, Sipho Mbule made a mess of clearing the third one from Du Preez, heading the ball onto his hand and conceding a penalty in the process.
Du Preez stepped up to nervelessly send Williams the wrong way and Amakhosi were deservedly level in the match and the tie overall, having cancelled out Sundowns’ away goal advantage from the first leg.
With first half stoppage time running out and Sundowns clinging on for the whistle, the Brazilians broke up field from yet another Chiefs corner, and Lucas Ribeiro managed to chip the ball to the far post where the waiting Shaulile nodded Sundowns back into the lead right on half time.
While a setback, it left Chiefs needing to score only once to be ahead on away goals.
The second half was a tense affair, with Chiefs taking the initiative in search of the goal they needed. Just before the hour mark, Ntseki beefed up the attack when he introduced Jasond Gonzalez and Christian Saile, and it was the Congolese flyer who made an immediate impression, bursting powerfully down the right before pulling the ball back for Du Preez to meet firmly, and it took an excellent reflex save to deny him what would have been the winning goal.
Amakhosi hunted for that all important goal as Sundowns nervously held onto their precarious lead. Mdu Shabalala came on and injected much needed energy and it was another substitute, Mdantsane, who appeared to be fouled inside the box right at the death.
The Khosi Nation is disappointed but not bowed. The tie was decided by fine margins and there is enough to be seen in the systematic improvement in the team’s performances to remain confident that a trophy will sit in the Kaizer Chiefs Village cabinet sooner rather than later.
Mamelodi Sundowns (2) 2
(Shalulile 1’, 45+4’)
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1
(Du Preez pen. 34’)
MTN8 semifinal second-leg
Sundowns win 3-2 on aggregate
SOURCED FROM KAIZER CHIEFS’ WEBSITE.
