Chiefs Crash Out

23 October 2011

Telkom Knockout

Date: 23 October 2011

Result: Platinum Stars 2-1 Kaizer Chiefs (aet)

Venue: Royal Bafokeng Stadium

Referee: Robert Sithole

Holders Kaizer Chiefs were unceremoniously dumped out of the Telkom Knockout by Platinum Stars after extra-time in an exhausting encounter at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium this afternoon. 

Both teams began cautiously, sizing things up without pressuring the opposing side in sweltering conditions in the North-West.

The hosts were the first out of the blocks when veteran Elias Ngwepe worked his way down the left flank and pulled back for Joseph Malongoane but the youngster got under his shot with the goal at his mercy in the ninth minute. Sthembiso Ngcobo responded for Chiefs at the other end, displaying remarkable skill to get in between the Stars defenders but the lanky striker could not get a decent shot off.

Chiefs began to wrest possession from Stars and George Lebese was allowed the time to turn and shoot over by the Dikwena defence in the 20th minute. Henrico Botes was being kept very quiet by Thomas Sweswe at the other end of the pitch.

Siphiwe Tshabalala took his chances from distance but didn't trouble keeper Siya Mpontshane and then Lucky Baloyi beat a defender and toe-poked narrowly wide just before the half-hour as momentum shifted in the visitor's favour.

Stars, however, got in a stunning sucker punch when Sibusiso Msomi broke on the right flank and his accurate cross was tapped in by the flying Botes in the 38th minute. Tshabalala had an excellent opportunity to register an immediate reply but shot over the crossbar from the edge of the area.

Chiefs continued to cut the Dikwena defence to shreds in the second-half but could not find the final touch. Cross after cross went skidding across the Stars area with no gold-and-black jersey to meet it.

Sweswe struck a searing long-ranger on the hour mark with Mpontshane doing well to hold on to the ball with the Chiefs marauders sprinting through. Two minutes later and the Amakhosi were level. Tshabalala caught the Stars defence wrong-footed and played in Ngcobo for a simple finish which had the Chiefs supporters breathing a huge sigh of relief. 

Innocent Mkhabela could not direct an uncontested header goalwards in front of an empty net in the 70th minute, spurning a great opportunity to put Stars back on top. Msomi pulled out the best in Arthur Baartman with a searing strike from the right side of the area - the veteran keeper did well to fist the ball behind.

Jimmy Tau saved Baartman's blushes in the 85th minute when his keeper dropped the ball off a corner and he made a spectacular goalline clearance. Baartman made amends to deny Thuso Phala from range as Stars began to mount a serious bid for victory in the closing stages.

The goalkeeper made another desperate save and then substitute Lehlohonolo Majoro effected another goalline clearance to keep his side in the game. The referee duly signalled for extra-time with players of both sides out on their feet in the energy-sapping heat. 

A lethargic period of play ensued with Chiefs lacking the energy to make inroads into the Stars half and the hosts looking the fresher of the teams. Thuso Phala was rewarded for his outstanding fitness and unleashed the killer blow at the end of the first period of extra-time, giving Baartman no chance with a low shot that bounced off the upright and into the net.

Majoro, Baloyi and Nale all had chances to restore parity but it was not to be Chiefs' day and their Telkom Knockout reigh has gone up in flames on a blazing day at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. 

Platinum Stars: Mpontshane, Ngwepe, Semenya, Mkhabela, Malongoane (Ramolesa 76'), Mere,Phala, Sambu, Msomi, Thebakang (Ng'ambi 74'), Botes (Mandaza 97')

Kaizer Chiefs: Baartman, Tau, Sweswe, Jambo, Lawler (Isaacs 45'), Letsholonyane (Majoro 55'), Baloyi, Lebese (Nale 67'), Nengomashe, Tshabalala, Ngcobo

Goal: Henrico Botes 38', Thuso Phala 104' (Stars) Sthembiso Ngcobo 62' (Chiefs)