Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye has identified two players who he feels were crucial to the Glamour Boys’ 2-1 victory against Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final.
Chiefs stunned Pirates to end their 10-year trophy drought last Saturday when Evidence Makgopa cancelled out Gaston Sorino’s early penalty only for captain Yusuf Maart to score the winner 10 minutes from time.
The second goal came after Chiefs had laid siege at Pirates’ goal later in the second half with substitutes Mduduzi Shabalala and Ashley Du Preez proving a handful for the Bucs defence before they laid it up for Maart to score the winner.
Who impressed Junior Khanye most?
Khanye was impressed by Maart and Shabalala’s display and he feels it is down to the duo that Chiefs won the trophy.
“This is history and it’s not the first time he [Maart] scores in the derby. He once won a game for Kaizer Chiefs. Well done to the boy, we have been critical of him but that’s because he has committed a lot of blunders,” Khanye said on iDiski TV.
“But this is a life-changing goal and sometimes even the national team coach can see him after scoring in the Nedbank Cup final. It’s been a while since Chiefs won anything, and they showed character, and we must give them credit.
“I give Nabi credit this time for reading the game well and bringing on Shabalala. But also, players sometimes will surprise you. Well done to Mdu this is what we want from him. The boy came and changed the complexion of the game.”
Chiefs legend in awe of cup-winning goal
Khanye then went into details over how he was left impressed by Chiefs’ winning goal.
“Chiefs were speedy running behind the Orlando Pirates defence. Check that goal, Mdu went straight to [Nkosinathi] Sibisi he delayed, then turned and cut in and played it to [Ashley] Du Preez and when it looked like the ball died, Du Preez brought it back and Yusuf Maart made sure to join in the box as an attacking midfielder, well done to him,” he added.
Chiefs celebrated a first trophy since 2015, ending Pirates’ reign as back-to-back winners, with the victory earning them a ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup next season.
