Amakhosi sink Chippa

Chippa United’s giant-killing ways came to an abrupt end when they were beaten 1-0 by Kaizer Chiefs in their Telkom Knockout Cup quarterfinal clash at a packed Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium yesterday.

A first half Bernard Parker penalty ensured that the Amakhosi reached the semi-finals of the competition, much to the delight of their vociferous fans, who made up the majority of the 31288 crowd.

Chiefs now play Bidvest Wits in the one semifinal while Polokwane City will face Bloemfontein Celtic in the other, with the first of the two-legged ties to be played on November 18 and 19.

From a Chippa perspective, the defeat means the Chilli Boys’ unbeaten run under caretaker coach Teboho Moloi, which lasted eight matches, has come to an end.

There was confidence within the Chippa camp that they could pull off another big win especially considering their most recent victories over former African champions Mamelodi Sundowns and defending PSL champions Bidvest Wits.

But it was not to be as the Glamour Boys turned on the charm to produce a match-winning performance after absorbing some early pressure from the home team.

Chiefs gave the home side an early scare, in the fourth minute, when they found the Chippa net only for Parker to be ruled offside.

Chippa then controlled the next 20 minutes or so and had a number of chances to take the lead.

The first came in the sixth minute, but Mpho Mvelase could only manage a tame shot with only ’keeper Itumeleng Khune to beat.

Two minutes later Andile Mbenyane had probably their best chance of the half.

Khune clashed with his defender Eric Mathoho and the ball fell favourably for Mbenyane, who somehow managed to shoot wide of a gaping goalmouth.

Mathoho was on hand to save Chiefs in the 20th minute when he blocked an on-target shot from Paseka Mako.

Chippa had nothing to show for those early chances and were made to pay when defender James Okwuosa was ruled to have fouled Joseph Malongoane in the goal area, to concede a penalty. Parker made no mistake with the spot kick, sending Daniel Akpeyi the wrong way. The goal came against the run of play but from there Chiefs started to take control.

Chiefs had the ball in the net again seven minutes later when Siphiwe Tshabalala’s free kick found William Katsande’s head but the goal was disallowed.

Chippa introduced the in-form Samuel Julies from the bench in the 50th minute and then Kurt Lentjies five minutes later in a bid to get back in the game. Julies was coming off three goals in his last two games but has been used sparingly by Moloi because of lack of fitness.

Chippa enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession in the second half but struggled to break down a determined Chiefs outfit.