Kaizer Chiefs’ nightmare season continues with MTN8 exit
Cape Town – Kaizer Chiefs have been knocked out of the MTN8 after losing their second leg semi-final 1-0 against SuperSport United at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The sides had gone into the fixture locked at 2-2 after last weekend's first leg, meaning that SuperSpprt advance as 3-2 aggregate winners.
The all-important goal came courtesy of a well-worked SuperSport move and a cool Bradley Grobler finish on 58 minutes.
The defending champions had the first attempt at goal with a quarter of an hour gone on the clock. Aubrey Modiba floated in a set-piece from the right that found Clayton Daniels in the middle of the box but the defenders header crashed back off the upright and away for a goal kick with goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune rooted to the spot.
Ten minutes later Matsatsantsa would go close again. This time it was through a Modiba free kick that once again caused trouble in the Chiefs defence and after a clearance from Siphelele Ntshangase the ball fell to Evans Rusike who hit a first time volley into the ground that was well held by Khune.
Amakhosi went close to taking the lead seconds before half-time. Willard Katsande dispossessed Dean Furman in his own half before he led the breakaway and got a shot away at goal. The midfielder played a one-two with Leonardo Castro but failed to keep his first time shot on target, dragging his effort wide of the left hand post.
Five minutes after the restart the home side had a glorious chance to take the lead but were denied by a heroic block on his own six yard box by Grant Kekana. Katsande flicked on a header at the near post from a Billiat corner and the ball fell to Teenage Hadebe who saw his snap shot charged down by Kekana.
Kaitano Tembos team took the lead three minutes before the hour mark. Reneilwe Letsholonyane was released by a brilliant through ball from Rusike and the former Chiefs man cut back was controlled with the right foot and clinically finished with the left foot all in one motion by Grobler.
The home side were almost level just seven minutes later but a last ditch save from Williams denied Ramahlwe Mpahlele and Katsande could only hit the upright with the follow up effort.
Giovanni Solinas side went close to an equaliser in the 75th minute. Castro laid the ball for Ntshangase to have a strike from just outside the box but the playmakers powerful shot went just wide of the target.