Kaizer Chiefs failed to make use of their away-goal advantage as they succumbed to a 3-2 defeat on aggregate against SuperSport United in the semi-finals of the MTN8 tournament, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.
The two sides played to a four-goal thriller in the first leg of their clash last Sunday and Giovanni Solinas’ side went into the encounter with the advantage, having netted two away goals courtesy of Khama Billiat and Leonardo Castro.
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Chiefs came into the clash on the back of a disappointing 2-2 league draw against Bloemfontein Celtic, while Kaitano Tembo’s side secured a 2-1 victory against Chippa United.
Defender Daniel Cardoso was dropped to the bench for Chiefs after a number of suspect showings, while new signing Godfrey Walusimbi made his debut in place of Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya.
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Striker Bradley Grobler made it three goals in two games to ensure that the defending MTN8 champions booked their spot in the final where they will face the winner of Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City.
The encounter got off to a slow start with neither side willing to commit too much forward in terms of numbers. SuperSport defender Clayton Daniels was presented with the first opportunity of the game, but his header cannoned off the post with goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune well beaten in the 15th minute.
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Matsatsantsa gradually began to dominate proceedings and looked the livelier of the two teams, particularly through the individual efforts of Aubrey Modiba and Evans Rusike.
Chiefs’ defence looked particularly shaky when facing set pieces and looked likely to be the first team to concede a goal.
Willard Katsande almost broke the deadlock following a swift counter-attack, but the defensive midfielder’s effort went inches wide of the target after Castro’s cut-back moments before the half-time break.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 59th minute after Ramahlwe Mphahlele needlessly gave possession away which resulted in Reneilwe Letsholonyane playing in Grobler, who made no mistake from within the area.
Ronwen Williams pulled off a fine double save to deny Chiefs the equaliser from the feet of Mphahlele and Teenage Hadebe with the momentum increasingly growing in SuperSport’s favour.
Both sides made substitutions with Khotso Malope replacing Wiseman Meyiwa for Chiefs, while Fagrie Lakay came on for wing Thuso Phala.
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Chiefs grew increasingly frustrated with their lack of clear-cut chances created, with SuperSport defending deeper in their own half in a bid to protect the lead.
Dumisani Zuma came close to levelling the scoreline when he crept in behind defender Grant Kekana to meet Mphahlele’s cross, but the striker’s effort flew over Williams’ crossbar.
The home side threw numbers forward in their bid to level matters and they almost did so in the 77th minute, but Ntshangase’s snap-shot went inches wide of the mark.
In the end, it proved a case of so close yet so far away for Chiefs, who proved blunt in attack at home when it mattered most, giving SuperSport the opportunity to defend their MTN8 title after a 1-0 victory at the FNB Stadium.
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Photo: Backpagepix
