Telkom Knockout
Result: Cape Town City 1-1 Kaizer Chiefs (Chiefs won 4-2 on penalties)
Date: 19 October 2019
Venue: Cape Town Stadium
Kaizer Chiefs kept their Telkom Knockout campaign alive with a penalty shoot-out victory over Cape Town City after an entertaining 120 minutes in the Mother City.
Amakhosi boss Ernst Middendorp made two changes from their win over Golden Arrows, with Leonardo Castro at the expense of Lazarous Kambole, while Reeve Frosler recovered from injury to claim his right wing-back spot. On the other hand, the Citizens made only one change, with Craig Martin taking the place of the injured captain Thamsanqa Mkhize.
Chiefs were pressing the Citizens high in the early stages and were threatening also on set-plays but goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburg kept the home side in the game.
Middendorp's charges had a glorious chance to break the deadlock on the half-hour mark after they were awarded a penalty for a handball by Taariq Fielies inside the box from Khama Billiat's shot but Daniel Cardoso could not capitalise, as he curled his spot-kick over the top corner.
City eventually broke the deadlock 11 minutes before the break through a wonder strike from Kermit Erasmus, who let fly with a shot from just outside the box that sailed into the top corner.
The Glamour boys were forced to make a substitution with three minutes remaining of the first stanza as Bernard Parker was stretched off injured and replaced by Samir Nurkovic after George Maluleka replaced Kearyn Baccus earlier in the half.
The game was opening up early in the second stanza as Chiefs were in a hurry to get back to the game but the visitors nearly went two goals down eight minutes inside the second stanza after Erasmus went through on goal, but Akpeyi was on hand to deny the City strike with a double save.
Benni McCarthy's men had the better chances on the break in the latter phase of the match but Akepyi was keeping Amakhosi in the game with brilliant saves, before the visitors finally found the equaliser with seven minutes remaining thanks to Nurkovic, who scored with a half-volley following persistent pressure.
Billiat had a chance to snatch the winner for Amakhosi in the last three minutes after eliminating his marker to go clear on goal but instead of passing to Castro, who was unmarked on the blind-side, he went for glory and his strike sailed over the bar as the clash went to extra-time.
The Citizens had a glorious chance to restore the lead in the 13th minute of extra-time after Fagrie Lakay rounded Erick Mathoho at the near post but his shot was crucially saved by Akpeyi with his legs, while Shane Roberts squandered another opening moments later.
The encounter eventually went to a penalty shoot-out, where the Amakhosi triumphed, with Mathoho scoring the winning penalty.
Here's how they lined up:
City: 1. Leeuwenburgh, 30. Martin, 12. Fielies, 5. Edmilson, 38. Kewuti, 21. Mokeke, 26. Nodada, 8. Makola, Ralani, 22. Mayambela, 9. Erasmus.
Subs: 16. Stephens, 6. Seedat, 18. Abrahams, 17. Norodien, 29. Roberts, 23. Lakay, 25. Mthembu.
Chiefs: 43. Akpeyi, 20. Sasman, 3. Mathoho, 4. Cardoso, 39. Frosler, 31. Katsande, 21. Manyama, 25. Parker, 5. Baccus, 11. Billiat, 9. Castro.
Subs: 44. Bvuma, 12. Maluleka, 9. Nurkovic, 22. Zulu, 28. Zuma, 30. Ngezana, 45. Blom.
