CHIEFS OVERCOME BAROKA TO REACH NEDBANK CUP SEMIS
Erick Mathoho’s header ensured Kaizer Chiefs beat Baroka FC 1-0 in the Nedbank Cup Last Eight at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday night.
Ryan Moon came close for Amakhosi with a header in the 14th minute, but was denied by Ayanda Dlamini who produced a point blank range save.
Three minutes later, Hendrik Ekstein was given too much space in the middle of the park and unleashed a powerful shot which sailed over the cross bar.
Against the run of play, Gift Motupa gave Itumeleng Khune a scare when the attacker took a long range shot after spotting the keeper off of his line in the 26th minute, but the effort went over the cross bar.
It was Mathoho who broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when the towering defender pounced on a corner kick from Siphiwe Tshabalala.
Just before the end of the opening stanza Leonardo Castro was fouled in the box and Amakhosi were awarded a penalty, but Ryan Moon ballooned his effort over the cross bar.
It was 1-0 at the interval.
Steve Komphela’s men emerged from the tunnel with renewed energy and pushed for a second goal, but were not decisive in front of goal.
Khune was beaten by Richard Matloga from close range in a scramble in the box, but the attacker’s attempt would hit the woodwork and went out of play after an hour.
Chances were few and far towards the last 10 minutes as the Limpopo side continued to probe for an equaliser, but Mathoho was solid at the back.
Mathoho’s header proved to the the difference in Port Elizabeth as Amakhosi join Maritzburg United and Free State Stars in the semifinals of the Ke Yona competition.
Kaizer Chiefs: 1 (Mathoho 37’)
Baroka: (0)
Kaizer Chiefs: Khune, Cardoso, Mphahlele, Hadebe, Mathoho, Zulu, Katsande, Ekstein, Tshabalala (Jayiya 89’), Castro, Moon (Parker 90’)
Baroka: Dlamini, Motupa, Mothupa, Mohwaletseng, Sidumo (Matloga 49’), Chawaphihwa, Banda, Kgoetyane (Soso 90’), Ngalande (Sodi 70’), Mdantsane, Madubanya
