Kaizer Chiefs booked their spot in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals after a controversial 3-1 win over Stellenbosch FC on Saturday evening.
Nedbank Cup
Result: Stellenbosch 1-3 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 08 March 2025
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bays Stadium
Ashley du Preez, Gaston Sirino, Thabo Cele and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo were all recalled to the Amakhosi line-up following the midweek win over Magesi FC.
The hosts got off to a lively start as Sirino and Ngcobo saw a lot of the ball in the middle of the park while Du Preez's pace was causing issues for the Stellenbosch defence.
Chiefs were then awarded a penalty on 17 minutes when Ismael Toure was deemed to have handled in the box. Captain Inácio Miguel stepped up and calmly slotted home for the opening goal.
Stellenbosch, meanwhile, did not sit back and pushed for the equaliser and they were nearly rewarded on 27 minutes but midfielder Chumani Butsaka sent his first-time strike just over the crossbar.
There was a little moment of madness in the latter stages of the first half when Toure appeared to shove Sirino in the face, however the Stellenbosch defender was only shown a yellow card for the incident.
Nku nearly made the perfect impact a few minutes later from a dead-ball situation, but the winger's curling free-kick sailed inches wide of Bruce Bvuma's upright.
While Toure was lucky not to receive a second yellow card for a foul on Bvuma on 77 minutes, there was a red card shown to a Chiefs player as Brandon Petersen, who was on the bench, was given his marching orders for apparent dissent.
However, Stellenbosch got back on level terms in the 86th minute as an un-marked De Jong sent a glancing header into the far corner after some poor defending by the Soweto giants.
There was late drama in the in second-half stoppage time as Chiefs grabbed the winning goal through Pule Mmodi's finish. The goal looked to be initially ruled out by the assistant but after consultation, the goal was given.
With Sage Stephens pushed up for the Chiefs sealed the win in the 100th minute as substitute Mfundo Vilakazi raced clear on goal to slot into an empty net and sealed a spot in the final four.
Here's how they lined up:
Stellenbosch: Stephens, Basadien, Kazie, Toure, Moloisane, Nduli, Butsaka, Khiba, Titus, Lekoloane, Cupido
Subs: Masuluke, Onyango, Jabaar, Palace, Mdaka, Phili, Nku, Barns, De Jong
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma, Frosler, Miguel, Dove, Msimango, Cele, Sirino, Ngcobo, Mmodi, Lilepo, Du Preez.
Subs: Petersen, Kwinika, Cross, Solomons, Matlou, Maart, Shabalala, Chivaviro, Vilakazi
