Kaizer Chiefs rally from behind to edge Siwelele and book Sundowns clash

Kaizer Chiefs came from a goal down to beat Siwelele 2-1 in the Carling Knockout quarterfinals at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday.

Both keepers — Siwelele’s Jody February and Chiefs’ Brandon Petersen — made fine saves within the first five minutes.

February denied Mduduzi Shabalala in what was the game’s first chance in the second minute, while Petersen pulled off a brilliant save to deny Sphesihle Jeza a few minutes later.

Petersen made another brilliant save, using his trailing leg to stop Vincent Pule’s effort and forcing a corner kick in the ninth minute. Siwele would punish Amakhosi from a resultant corner kick when Siyabonga Ndebele rose highest to thump home that set piece, perfectly delivered by Manelisi Mazibuko in the 11th minute.

Mfundo Vilakazi earned Chiefs a penalty in the 36th minute after being clipped by Pule. However, Shabalala skied the spot-kick. Wandile Duba missed a chance from a tight angle a few seconds later after Chiefs missed a penalty.

Chiefs would get another penalty on the stroke of halftime when referee Masixole Bambiso adjudged Ndebele to have fouled Shabalala inside the box. Duba, who’d be substituted for Flavio Silva in the 75th minute, tucked the penalty away to make it 1-1.

Siwelele made three changes at halftime, withdrawing Ndebele, Matthew Marou and Relebogile Mokhuoane for Njabulo Ngcobo, Cristian Saile and Shadrack Kobedi respectively.

The second half was scrappy as both sides struggled to string passes together and failed to retain possession for longer spells.

Having been on the field for nine minutes after replacing Shabalala, Asanele Velebayi netted the winner for Amakhosi when he rolled the ball through February’s legs from a tight angle in the 84th minute.

Velebayi was set up by Silva for what was his first goal since joining Chiefs in August last year.

Chiefs will visit Mamelodi Sundowns in a battle for a place in the final while defending champions travel to Stellenbosch FC in the other semifinal.