Kaizer Chiefs booked their spot in semi-finals of the MultiChoice Diski Shield in style after hammering rivals Orlando Pirates by 6-3 in the final game of the group stages at Vosloorus Stadium on Sunday.
With the first team in line to endure a three-year barren run, it was up to the reserve team to bring a bit of smile to the club’s faithful. The senior team’s hopes of winning a cup this season were dented by a 2-0 loss to Free State Stars on Saturday at Moses Mabhida Stadium in the semi-finals of Nedbank Cup.
This defeat saw the supporters resorting to hooliganism where the stadium property was damaged and this led to coach Steve Komphela tendering his resignation with immediate effect. For Pirates as a club though, it was a different spectrum, as they were only looking to add a cherry on-top after a good season in the Absa Premiership.
In this match, the aim was to reach the last four of the tournament but the channel on how to get there was different for either side, Chiefs needed a draw while for Pirates needed a win.
Bucs drew first blood courtesy of Lyle Foster. Foster showed his class by creating space for himself in a tight situation in the box, as he calmly controlled the ball before turning to slot past Brylon Petersen. However, Pirates would soon undo what was good start to their game after captain Lehlohonolo Mtshali scored an own goal after pressured by Chiefs' attackers.
That goal was what they needed to overturn matters, hence wing-back Itumeleng Shopane won a penalty that Yusuf Bunting converted to put Amkhosi ahead. Amid the tension currently circulating the club, the junior team proved that class is permanent with their third goal.
From the left wing, Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya delivery a champagne pass that Happy Mashiane perfectly timed, waited for the ball to bounce once before wrapping his foot around it then finished off by chipping over Tsebo Tsotetsi.
Chiefs were not done, as Reamehotswe Lekoatsa got the team’s fourth with a tap-in after teamed by Shopane. Foster got his brace after a scramble in Chiefs’ box from a corner. Luke Moses scored the fifth with a glancing header.
Asanda Dyani would put the nail in the coffin with the sixth. The Buccaneers would not go down without a fight though, as Yusuf Maart headed home their third. Meanwhile, Golden Arrows beat Amazulu 3-2 in the first match. Amakhosi have now joined Bloemfontein Celtic, Mamelodi Sundowns and Arrows in semi-finals of which the draw will be conducted today and it will be live on BackPages (19:30) on channel 204 on Supersport.