Chiefs pay the penalty as 10-man Stellies steal Carling Knockout spot after dramatic shootouts

Published on by

Chiefs pay the penalty as 10-man Stellies steal Carling Knockout spot after dramatic shootouts
Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Sibongiseni Mthethwa challenges for the ball with Devin Titus of Stellenbosch. Photo - Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs missed an opportunity to fight for the Carling Knockout trophy when they were eliminated from the competition at the Round of 16 in dramatic fashion on Sunday.

Chiefs were knocked out after losing to Stellenbosch FC on post-match penalties following a goalless draw that witnessed dramatic scenes in extra-time and in the shootouts.

As it has been this season, Chiefs had chances but failed to utilise, forcing the game into extra-time and then penalties as they found it hard to breach Stellies.

Chiefs had the first chance after 14 minutes when Khanyisa Mayo received the ball and made a run towards the box, getting it on his left foot, and then firing in. He nearly found the target as his attempt went just past the top corner.

How did Amakhosi waste their opportunities?

Khanyisa Mayo and Sanele Barnes.

Dillan Solomons had another one in the 28th minute with his long-range attempt going over the bar but their best chance arrived on the stroke of halftime when Glody Lilepo took a great freekick but drew out a good save from Stellenbosch goalkeeper Masuluke Oscarine.

After the break, Chiefs took off Nkosingiphile Ngcobo for Thabo Cele in an attempt to get a foothold into the game but nothing much came of it as they still could not open up Stellies while there was a lengthy stoppage when Oscarine went down injured after a clash with Mayo and he was replaced by Sage Stephens.

Mayo would be taken off for Ashley Du Preez, who injected pace in Chiefs’ game, but they still could not breach Steve Barker’s men while Mduduzi Shabalala was replaced by Gaston Sirino.

With nothing to separate the two teams, the game headed into extra-time and Chiefs had one glorious opportunity when Sirino fired over the bar.

Advantage Chiefs after Mokobodi sending off

Inacio Miguel

Chiefs would get an advantage as Stellenbosch were reduced to 10 men as Thapelo Mokobodi was sent off for a second bookable offence, having brought down Lilepo while he was headed towards goal.

From the resultant freekick, Lilepo fired directly at Stephens and that would be the last chance for the Glamour Boys.

A couple of changes would be made by Chiefs designed to give them an advantage in the shootouts with Lilepo brought off for Tashreeq Morris and Aden McCarthy coming on for a reluctant Sibongiseni Mthethwa, who initially refused to come off, before then getting out.

Drama as Ntwari refuses to come off for Bvuma

However, Chiefs’ attempt to change their goalkeepers did not succeed. Fiacre Ntwari, who had been given a rare start, refused to come off for Bruce Bvuma, who had been prepared for the penalties.

When the shootouts started, Ntwari appeared to vindicate his decision not to come off as he saved the first penalty taken by Andre de Jong and Chiefs looked to be in driver’s seat with Sirino, Cele, McCarthy and Bradley Cross all scoring as Stellies had Thabo Molaisane, Mthetheleli Mthiyane, Stephens and Athenkosi Mcaba converting.

However, with Chiefs needing to convert their fifth kick to win it, Morris saw his effort saved by Stephens, sending the shootouts into sudden death, where Sanele Barnes scored but Solomons missed to eliminate Amakhosi.   

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

You May Also Like