Kaizer Chiefs striker Gustavo Paez believes their 2-1 victory over Acornbush United could help them achieve their first piece of silverware later this season. 

The Glamour Boys progressed to the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup when the Venezuelan striker cancelled out Mudzunga Sidumo’s 43rd-minute opener.

The 26-year-old striker admits that it was a crucial match for Amakhosi’s hopes of winning silverware this season after he scored two late goals to seal the victory.

‘This is an important win for the club,’  Paez told the Kaizer Chiefs website.

‘We realised that time was not on our side as the game progressed, we had to do something different to win this match.’

The Mpumalanga-based side went into the break leading with an opportunistic goal scored against the run of play.

Paez believes that coach Steve Komphela’s tactical changes in the second half proved to be vital to their progression in the competition.

‘The coach made the necessary changes when we were trailing. And that became the turning point for us,’ He added.

‘The condition of the pitch made playing good football difficult. The pitch was hard and the heat was virtually unbearable.’

The former Estudiantes de Merida striker believes Amakhosi stands a good chance of making it all the way to the finals to clinch their first piece of silverware this season.

‘We didn’t want to go to extra time and the penalties because that would have been a lotto scenario. We want to win this cup. However, we take it step by step and one game at the time,’ Paez said.

Kaizer Chiefs will now turn their attention back to the Absa Premiership when they take on Bloemfontein Celtic at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Wednesday.

Kick-off has been set for 19:30.

Image: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix