Bernard Parker’s first-half penalty gave a Kaizer Chiefs a 1-0 victory against Chippa United in a Telkom Knockout quarter-final clash on Sunday afternoon, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.
The home side went into the game on the back of a morale-boosting 2-1 victory against Mamelodi Sundowns in the last round of the competition.
Chiefs claimed an emphatic 3-0 victory against AmaZulu in the previous round of the competition.
Chippa XI: 1. Akpeyi, 4. Macheke, 2. Okwuosa, 5. Konqobe, 17. Maphanga, 7. Mako, 20. Mdlinzo, 27. Mabaso, 13. Mvelase, 10. Mbenyane, 25. Manzini.
Chiefs XI: 32. Khune, 4. Cardoso, 3. Mathoho, 30. Ngezana, 22. Zulu, 31. Katsande, 38. Meyiwa, 27. Ekstein, 14. Tshabalala, 23. Molongoane, 25. Parker.
The home side were dominant for large parts of the opening exchanges, and it was Mpho Mvelase who had the first chance of the game as he forced goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune into a fine save in the third minute.
Andile Mbenyane should have opened the scoring four minutes later when a miscommunication between Khune and Eric Mathoho saw the forward being put through on goal, but he failed to find the target from within the area.
Chiefs’ defence looked suspect and had it not been for a last-ditch tackle from Mathoho, Chippa would have been ahead in the 20th minute, courtesy of a Lerato Manzini effort.
Komphela’s side took the lead in somewhat dubious circumstances after James Okwuoso appeared to have brought down Joseph Molongoane in the box. Bernard Parker subsequently stepped up to slot away the penalty to give Chiefs a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute.
The goal changed the rhythm of the game and Chiefs went comfortably into the half-time break with their 1-0 lead.
Chippa started the second half much like the first, and signalled their intent to get an equaliser when they first introduced super-sub Samuel Julies for Manzini in the 50th minute, and Kurt Lentjies for Mbenyane four minutes later.
Chiefs came close to doubling when Siphiwe Tshabalala unselfishly laid the ball for Hendrik Ekstein, but the midfielder’s shot went high and wide.
Philani Zulu displayed good awareness to break down the Chippa defence in the 65th minute. Komphela made his first substitution two minutes later when Dumisani Zuma replaced Ekstein.
Chiefs signalled their intent for the second goal as Gustavo Paez was introduced for Parker.
Chippa upped their tempo in the final 15 minutes of the clash, but were unable to find the breakthrough needed, despite dominating proceedings as Chiefs ran out 1-0 victors.
A late clash between Lentjies and Khune saw both players forced off with injury.
Photo: Deryck Foster/Backpagepix
