Kaizer Chiefs were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup after losing 2-0 to Free State Stars at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in their semi-final clash on Saturday evening, writes DEAN WORKMAN.

Kaizer Chiefs came into the game desperate to progress to the final and to have the opportunity to end their three-year trophy drought.

The Amakhosi got off to the worst possible start as Luc Eymael’s team opened the scoring with just 45 seconds gone. Harris Tchilimbou lost his marker in the box and got on the end of Nyiko Mobbie’s cross to head past Itumeleng Khune in the Chiefs goal.

Steve Komphela’s team pushed forward as they looked to get level. Ryan Moon came close to an equaliser on five minutes, but his header failed to hit the target.

Stars then doubled their lead on 34 minutes. Patrick Phungwayo’s cross was misjudged by Daniel Cardoso, the defender missed the ball and it fell to Tchilimbou, who made no mistake in poking the ball past Khune.

The Soweto Giants then had a chance to bring a goal back on the stroke of half-time. Dumisani Zuma fired the ball across the face of the goal but a diving Moon failed to make any contact.

It was 2-0 at the break and Chiefs had a lot to do if they wanted to make it through to the final.

The Naturena-based side came out strong in the second half but still could not pull a goal back. First Leanardo Castro had a chance, but his bicycle kick flew over the crossbar. Then Hendrick Ekstein was denied by a brilliant Thela Ngobeni save.

Chiefs were dominating possession and territory but failed to take advantage of any opening with some woeful finishing.

Kaizer Chiefs are out of the Nedbank Cup while Free State Stars will wait to see who they will face in the final as Mamelodi Sundowns and Maritzburg United clash tomorrow afternoon, with kick-off at 3:30pm.

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix