Keeper’s heroics help FS Stars down Chiefs

Chiefs' Erick Mathoho tries to get a shot past the FS Stars' vigilant keeperThela Ngobeni during their Telkom Knockout match in Durban. Photo by: Muzi Ntombela

Chiefs' Erick Mathoho tries to get a shot past the FS Stars' vigilant keeperThela Ngobeni during their Telkom Knockout match in Durban. Photo by: Muzi Ntombela

Published Nov 6, 2016

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Durban – For a goalkeeper who made only a handful of appearances in about eight years as a professional Thela Ngobeni was the sharpest player on the field when he starred through normal time, extra time and the penalty shoot-out to help Free State Stars edge Kaizer Chiefs in the Telkom Knockout quarter-finals at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Sunday.

The one-time Chiefs reserve goal-minder was even more difficult to overcome than the elements. If the wet and greasy surface was troublesome for the Chiefs attack to contend with, Ngobeni was an altogether different challenge. The more he was peppered with shots and crosses the better he became as he parried shots and punched crosses throughout 120 minutes of action.

Ultimately his heroics helped Free State claim a 6-5 win on penalties after Chiefs twice came from behind, first in normal time (1-1) and then in extra-time (2-2), to take it to a decider on penalties.

In the shoot-out Ngobeni first denied defender Lorenzo Gordinho, and then in sudden death he blocked William Twala’s effort to push his team into the semis where they will face Cape Town City on the weekend of November 25 and 26.

The other semi will be contested between Supersport United and Orlando Pirates, who beat Mamelodi Sundowns and Highlands Park respectively the day before. The PSL will announce the exact dates and venues of the matches.

Under a persistent drizzle the sides put on an entertaining display for the crowd of about 20 000 supporters, despite a slick surface which rendered passing play almost impossible. The ball rolled too fast at times and at other moments stuck to boggy patches and died in mid-flow. It killed some potential scoring moves initiated by Siphiwe Tshabalala, Bernard Parker and Michelle Katsvairo for home side Chiefs.

Itumeleng Khune had a quiet afternoon but gave the first indicator of how the conditions would impact on the game. A rather harmless shot from Danny Venter was fumbled and ran out for a corner in the fourth minute.

Khune couldn’t blame anyone or the rain gods for the Free State opener in the 10th minute. Sthembiso Dlamini fed the ball to overlapping left-back Bokang Tlhone, who shifted the ball to his right foot and unleashed a peach of a curler from just inside the box.

It was the first goal conceded by Chiefs in eight games in league and cup action, and on another day it would have been worthy of being the winning goal.

Not yesterday. It was all Chiefs after that, and Ngobeni, who twice blocked Katsvairo's shots and cut out a cross from defender Erick Mathoho with his boot, as Chiefs marauders waited to tap in.

Ngobeni was especially resilient in the second half as Chiefs cranked up the pressure in search of an equaliser. They were and refreshed by attacking substitutes William Twala and Edmore Chirambadare, while veteran Tshabalala kept the Amakhosi attack ticking. He even had a shot blocked by the goalie, and a header parried away stiffly midway through the second period, although the latter effort would have been ruled out for off-side.

The Free State wall also did its job in deflecting a Tshabalala free-kick in the final 10 minutes. Seven minutes from time Chirambadare flashed a goal in through a crowd of players in the box to stretch the tie into extra-time.

Just when it looked like Chiefs' momentum would see them go ahead, Free State retook the lead via a strike from Thokozani Sekotlong in first half of extra-time.

Chiefs’ never-say-die attitude saw them fight on and Mathoho produced the leveller in the second half of extra-time to take it to penalties, after crashing a header onto the bar.

Although Chiefs can point out that they are unbeaten through open play in nine league and cup games, their supporters will feel that with the investment made in the side this season they deserve better than being knocked out early in two cup competitions.

Semi-final draw (home team first): Supersport United v Orlando Pirates, Cape Town City v Free State Stars.

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