Chiefs’ double dream lives on

BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 13: Kingston Nkhatha for Cheifs during the Nedbank Cup Quarter Final match between Bloemfontein Celtic and Kaizer Chiefs from Free State Stadium on April 13, 2013 in Bloemfontein, South Africa.(Photo by Charle Lombard/Gallo Images)

BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 13: Kingston Nkhatha for Cheifs during the Nedbank Cup Quarter Final match between Bloemfontein Celtic and Kaizer Chiefs from Free State Stadium on April 13, 2013 in Bloemfontein, South Africa.(Photo by Charle Lombard/Gallo Images)

Published Apr 15, 2013

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Free State – For a night of football, Mzansi-style, it is hard to beat a Soweto giant’s visit to Bloemfontein, and the atmosphere at the Free State Stadium on Saturday night didn’t disappoint.

The green-and-white hordes of Celtic supporters, as usual, sang and danced their way through an increasingly-chilly night, even as it became clear their side was likely to exit the Nedbank Cup.

Amakhosi supporters, meanwhile, celebrated their team’s place in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals with gusto at the end, many chanting the name of goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune. The Bafana and Amakhosi captain, as he has done so often this season, preserved Chiefs’ lead with a spectacular, instinctive last-gasp save from Ruzaigh Gamildien.

“When it breaks in the box we have probably the best goalkeeper on the continent,” Amakhosi coach Stuart Baxter told television cameras afterwards, and it is hard to disagree.

Later, in the bowels of the stadium, Baxter reflected on what he saw as a good game on a rugby-ravaged pitch.

“I think the crowd were given a game that the pitch probably didn’t allow,” said Baxter.

“I think that the football played by both teams probably shouldn’t be played on that pitch. I sympathise with Clinton (Larsen, the Celtic Kaicoach), having to play on that pitch every other week. They are a good team, and when they play teams at home, they want to outplay them. It is a difficult one (pitch) to play on.

“But I am absolutely delighted with the result. It could have gone both ways, but that is cup football, and I am proud of the players.”

Baxter added that he is not bothered which team Chiefs get in today’s semi-final draw.

“I would prefer Halifax Town, but I don’t think they are in the tournament,” joked the Scotsman.

“Anyone you play is a difficult opponent, big names or smaller names. I am not second-guessing, I don’t know what I am eating for breakfast tomorrow yet! We don’t look that far ahead, we are just happy to be in the hat.”

Larsen and Celtic, meanwhile, must be sick of the sight of Chiefs in Bloemfontein this season, Amakhosi having also picked up a 3-0 win at this tricky away venue at the end of March. Celtic, in fact, have not scored a goal against Chiefs in three attempts this season, though like in the league game in Bloemfontein, they created their share of chances at the weekend.

Joel Mogorosi and Lennox Bacela both failed to find the net from close range in the first half, before Phunya Sele Sele were undone from a set piece just before the hour mark. Siphiwe Tshabalala’s corner was diverted unfortunately into his own net by former Chiefs defender Dominic Isaacs, though the league rather bizarrely announced that the goal had been awarded to Lincoln Zvasiya, when the Chiefs defender did not appear to touch the ball.

“Every team that comes here has to fight to get the win, and that is exactly what Chiefs did,” said Larsen.

“In saying so, I am very proud of my boys, I can’t fault the players. Our Achilles heel has always been converting out chances. I am disappointed with the result but very happy with the performance.”

Larsen added that he felt Celtic’s failure to breach Chiefs’ defence was a combination of this profligacy in front of goal, and Amakhosi’s stubborn defence, as solid as ever on Saturday, even with Morgan Gould and Eric Mathoho out injured. Zvasiya, whether or not he touched the goal, was excellent.

“Chiefs have defended very well against us, and we have missed some sitters, and Khune has been in fine form, I think it is a combination of all three,” said Larsen.

“Every game we create half a dozen good chances and we haven’t been converting. But I will take nothing away from Chiefs, they are very organised and a difficult team to break down.”

Baxter’s Amakhosi, indeed, remain well on course for a league and cup double, their next test an Absa Premiership Soweto derby at Moroka Swallows on Saturday. – The Star

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