Khotso Malope says he is pleased to have netted his first goal for Kaizer Chiefs, while claiming that the Amakhosi will beat SuperSport United to reach the MTN8 final.

The 24-year-old Chiefs development product was handed a rare start by coach Giovanni Solinas in their 2-2 draw against Steve Komphela’s Bloemfontein Celtic on Wednesday night.

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Malope, who featured in a midfield trio alongside Siphelele Ntshangase and Willard Katsande repaid his coach’s faith in him by netting his side’s second goal – a beautifully executed chip over goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb after a fine pass by striker Leonardo Castro.

‘That was a great feeling. The goal helped the team to get a result,’ he told the club’s official website.

Reflecting on his game and the goal, the starlet revealed that the Italian mentor alerted him of his starting-berth a day prior to the Celtic clash.

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‘You will start tomorrow,’ Solinas told Malope.

‘I was so excited. I was focused and ready. I slept well, as I always do.

‘I had a bit of cramp. That’s because I haven’t had much game-time recently and therefore lacked a bit of match fitness,’ he added.

Chiefs threw away a two-goal lead against Komphela’s outfit and Malope admits that he isn’t happy with the result, but he says Chiefs can bounce back with a victory over Kaitano Tembo’s side.

‘A draw was not what we are looking for. We have to go back to the drawing board, rectify our mistakes and be focused.

‘We got a 2-2 draw in the first leg, which was positive. We play at home on Saturday night and with the backing of our loyal supporters, I am confident that we will reach the final,’ he concluded.

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The two sides do duty at the FNB stadium on Saturday night with kickoff set for 8:15 pm.

Photo: Kaizer Chiefs website