Kaizer Chiefs advanced to the Nedbank Cup final four after Hendrick Ekstein and Dumisani Zuma fired the Soweto giants to a 2-0 victory over Cape Town City in the quarter-finals at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Chiefs came into the quarter-final well aware of their trophy drought and would have been desperate to advance through to the semi-finals and keep their hopes for silverware alive.
City, however, entered the contest as one of the in-form teams in the country having dragged themselves into the Absa Premiership title race with impressive wins over Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits.
Amakhosi started the game on the front foot and almost opened the scoring with just five minutes played when George Maluleka forced City goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh into a top save with an effort from range.
After controlling the opening stages Chiefs finally opened the scoring when Bernard Parker latched onto the ball following a mistake at the back from Edmilson. The ball was worked to the returning Ekstein who’s deflected shot left Leeuwenburgh with little chance. 1-0 to Middendorp’s men with 29 minutes gone.
Chiefs almost doubled their lead nine minutes later when Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya was played through by an inch perfect Khama Billiat pass. His shot, however, rifled the upright.
1-0 to the Soweto giants at the break after a strong first half showing.
Benni McCarthy would have wanted his side to respond in the second half and that’s what he got as they came out with some renewed vigour. City were almost rewarded for their initiative as Zukile Kewuti got on the end of a great Surprise Ralani cross, but he only managed to hit the post with his header.
Chiefs though then managed to double their lead with 55 minutes gone as substitute Dumisani Zuma popped up at the back post from a corner before beating Leeuwenburgh.
Chiefs were in control from this point with only Gift Links’ effort, which was well saved by Bruce Bvuma in the Amakhosi goal, their only chance of note in the remainder of game.
Middendorp’s chargers through to the final four after a quality performance.
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
