Kaizer Chiefs defender Yagan Sasman believes the work they put into their set pieces during training paid dividends in their victory over Maritzburg United.

A brace from Sasman helped Amakhosi complete the comeback to beat the Team of Choice 2-1 at the FNB Stadium in the quarter-finals of the MTN8.

The Glamour Boys have now been drawn against Orlando Pirates in the semi-finals, in what is expected to be a thrilling Soweto derby.

The 24-year-old defender believes his side showed real character to grind out a positive result against a resilient Maritzburg side to hand Gavin Hunt his first victory at the helm of Chiefs.

‘It was a hard-fought win. We went 1-0 down. The team showed character and we got the result,’ Sasman told SuperSport TV after the game.

‘I think the philosophy did change in the second half. Myself and Reeve, we both went up at the same time. And when we went in at half time, they said we should alternate and it worked and we preserved our energy and got the three points.

‘We practise during the week. Gavin gave us a good team talk, set pieces planned out, and we executed it well. And thanks to the Almighty for the two goals.

‘I think it’s a great achievement coming back from the setback in the league. You know, we threw it away in the last game. But, yes, it’s a good beginning to the season and we’ll take it from here.’