Royal AM continued their winning record against Kaizer Chiefs after securing the 2022 Macufe Cup via the penalty shoot-out on Sunday afternoon.
Macufe Cup
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 1-1 Royal AM (AM won 4-2 on penalties)
Date: 25 September 2022
Venue: Toyota Free State Stadium
Chiefs made wholesale changes, as only Edmilson Dove remained from their win over SuperSport United while former Amakhosi striker Samir Nurkovic made a return from injury for Royal AM.
Arthur Zwane's charges looked for combinations from wing play in the early stages, with Happy Mashiane and Reeve Frosler in advanced positions but they lacked the final pass to bring young striker Wandile Duba in the game.
Thwihli Thwahla absorbed the pressure and waited for their moments on transitions as Tebogo Potsane had a chance on 15 minutes after he cut in to his left-foot in the box but his effort lacked power and was gathered by goalkeeper Brandon Petersen.
Royal AM gained momentum and nearly went ahead ten minutes later after Eric Mathoho's flicked clearance from a cross dipped just over the top corner.
The game opened up after that but Royal AM looked more threatening as Menzi Masuku came close to breaking the deadlock towards the end of the first stanza with a curling strike from the edge of the box that flashed just over the crossbar.
Chiefs took the game to Thwihli Thwahla early in the second stanza and Keagan Dolly had their first shot on target just before the hour-mark mark that was smothered by goalkeeper Xolani Ngcobo.
With Amakhosi on the front foot, Zwane made a double change a couple of minutes later, changing the shape from the back, as Kamohelo Mahlatsi replaced Dove and Sabelo Radebe came on for Nkosingiphile Ngcobo.
The Glamour Boys continued to put Royal AM under pressure in the latter phase and Zwane surprisingly made a defensive change, as Thabani Dube replaced Duba, with Dolly switched to a striker's role.
Amakhosi paid the price, as Ruzaigh Gamildien broke the deadlock for AM in the dying minutes with a strike past goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma after racing ahead of Dube from a through ball.
Thwihli Thwahla had time to bring on chairman Andile Mpisane in added time and they almost got the second goal as Bvuma prevented a miscued block by Dube going in after a cross in the box.
Chiefs did not lose hope, as Dolly levelled matters with virtually the last kick of the game after curling a stunning free-kick from the edge of the box into the top corner.
The game went straight to a penalty shoot-out, where Thwihli Thwahla triumphed 4-2 after Thabo Mokoena missed a decisive spot-kick for Amakhosi.
Here's how they lined up:
Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen, Frosler, Ngezana, Mathoho, Dove, Alexander, Nange, Nk. Ngcobo, Mashiane, Dolly, Duba
Subs: Bvuma, Nj. Ngcobo, Dube, Mokwena, Zwane, Radebe, Mahlatsi
Royal AM: Ngcobo, Mabuza, Lingwati, Shezi, Skakane, Dlamini, Godfred, Roberts, Ndlovu, Potsane, Nurkovic.
Subs: Mpoto, Msomi, Mzila, Mpisane, Gamildien, Sera, Ncobeni, George, Masuku
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