Kaizer Chiefs successfully avoided a banana skin in the Nedbank Cup last 32 as they defeated Stellenbosch FC 3-0 at Athlone Stadium on Saturday night.
After seeing fellow PSL side Ajax Cape Town fall out of the tournament at the hands of lower league opponents earlier in the day, the Amakhosi ensured they didn’t suffer the same fate, putting in a strong second-half performance to overcome their NFD hosts.
Stellenbosch gave a good account of themselves in the first half and even had the first shot in anger, with midfielder Diego Brown warming the palms of goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo with a well-struck effort from long range as early as the seventh minute.
The hosts had a few more promising forays forward in the first 45 minutes, but they often lacked the composure and quality in the final third to test the Amakhosi’s defence.
Chiefs weren’t particularly impressive in attack either, with their most notable effort only arriving past the half hour mark when a good run and shot from Gustavo Paez saw Washington Arubi forced into a sharp save, as well as a quick recovery to prevent Edmore Chirambadare having a tap-in.
The Soweto side improved greatly after the break and needed just three minutes of the second half to break the deadlock. Paez provided a classy cross from the right by-line and winger Joseph Molangoane arrived late the far post to score with an easy header.
In the 58th minute it was 2-0 – another cross from the right flank caused all kinds of trouble for Stellenbosch’s defence and a poor headed clearance was fired home from the ‘d’ of the penalty area by Siphiwe Tshabalala.
The Cape side deserve credit for their reaction to going two goals down, with Sammy Troughton’s men creating a couple of chances to get back into the game, only to be denied by some fine goalkeeping from Khuzwayo.
With Stellenbosch throwing more men forward in attack, it was no surprise they were caught out in defence, with Paez able to round Arubi in the 82nd minute and easily steer the ball home for the third goal of the night and his first in the Gold and Black.
Credit: psl.co.za
