Kaizer Chiefs advanced to the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup for the
first time since 2019 after defeating Casric Stars 2-1 at FNB Stadium on
Sunday evening. Amakhosi opened the scoring through a penalty kick from
Bimenyimana in the 11th minute, but Casric Stars equalized through
Kgomotso Mosadi in the 63rd minute. However, Ashley Du Preez restored
Chiefs’ lead with a first-time side-footed shot in the box after a low
cross by Keagan Dolly, and the Glamour Boys held on for the win to advance
to the final eight.
Full time score: (Caleb. Pen 11’, Du Preez 63’) Kaizer Chiefs 2 : 1 Casric Stars (Mosadi 61’)
Nedbank Man of the Match: Mduduzi Shabalala#Amakhosi4Life #NedbankCup #UnityInAction pic.twitter.com/2PfaBaIXWV
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) March 12, 2023
Chiefs made only one enforced change to the side that edged Richards Bay,
as Kamohelo Mahlatsi earned a rare start in place of the suspended
Christian Saile Basomboli. Amakhosi had a dream start after they were
awarded a penalty on 11 minutes for a handball in the box, which allowed
Bimenyimana to convert by sending goalkeeper Ludwe Mpakumpaku the wrong.
Casric had space on the ball and Kgomotso Mosadi had a good chance to
level matters from a rebound midway through the first stanza after
shot-stopper Brandon Petersen parried a ball into his path but he directed
the volley over the crossbar.
Amakhosi opened up Stars a couple of times towards the end of first stanza
with combination play as Mduduzi Shabalala had a golden opportunity
shortly before the interval after he went through on goal in the box but
Mpakumpaku closed the angle and made a point-blank save with his legs in a
one-on-one.
Arthur Zwane’s charges found themselves in some good spaces in and around
the box from the break but their decision-making let them down and their
momentum was interrupted after Bimenyimana went down injured and was
replaced by Ashley Du Preez. However, Stars were gifted a way back into
the clash as a mistake at the back just after the hour-mark led to Mosadi
finding the equaliser for the visitors with a well-taken volley in the box
after Petersen parried his initial shot back into play.
Chiefs responded almost immediately, as Du Preez restored their lead with
a first-time side-footed shot in the box after a low cross by Keagan
Dolly. Stars opened acres of space behind their defence and were fortunate
to still be in the game a couple of minutes later as Shabalala broke the
off-side trap to go clear on goal but his shot was blocked onto the
outside of the post by Mpakumpaku.
Amakhosi were living dangerously at the back in the closing stages, as the
second-tier side threw numbers upfront and Zwane needed fresh legs in
midfield in the last nine minutes, as Samkelo Zwane replaced Yusuf Maart.
Casric continued to make life uncomfortable for Chiefs in the dying
minutes with a high press, searching for the equaliser but the Glamour
Boys knocked the ball around and held on for the win to advance to the
quarter-finals.
