Nedbank Cup
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 0-2 Free State Stars
Date: 21 April 2018
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Kaizer Chiefs will end trophyless for a third season in a row after they lost 2-0 to Free State Stars in the Nedbank Cup semi-final on Saturday evening.
Congolese striker Harris Tchilimbou netted inside 45 seconds to give Ea Lla Koto the lead with a downward header inside the box following a teasing cross from Nyiko Mobbie on the right wing.
Joseph Molangoane should have leveled matters for Amakhosi in the 10th minute after being sent through on goal but Stars goalkeeper Thela Ngobeni made a low save.
Tchilimbou doubled Ea Lla Koto's lead in the 33rd minute after being allowed space in the box to turn, control and fire a low effort past Amakhosi shot-stopper Itumeleng Khune.
Chiefs' defence was seemingly in disarray five minutes before the break as they were making errors and lacked communication.
Eymael's troops managed to hold onto their two-goal cushion going into the break.
Sinethemba Jantjie almost made it 3-0 to Ea Lla Koto a minute into the second half after going through one-on-one with Khune but fired wide.
Leonardo Castro should have pulled a goal back for Amakhosi seven minutes into the second stanza with a free-header inside box but guided his effort wide following a brilliant cross from Ryan Moon.
Komphela's men were a much-improved side after introducing striker Castro in place of defender Tsepo Masilela, although they were vulnerable to counter-attacks.
Hendrick Ekstein should have got on the scoresheet in the 66th minute for Amakhosi after being set up in the centre of the box with plenty space but his side-footed shot was brilliantly saved by Ngobeni to preserve Stars' two-goal cushion.
Siphelele Mthembu almost sealed the match 17 minutes from time for Stars with thumping strike from the edge of the box that was saved by Khune at full-stretch.
The Glamour Boys struggled to combine in the final stages of the half as Stars held on for the win to secure their spot in the final.
Here's how they lined up:
Chiefs: 32. Khune, 4. Cardoso, 3. Mathoho, 24. Masilela, 22. Zulu (Zuma 37'), 23. Molangoane, 13. Katsande, 27. Ekstein, 25. Parker, 14. Tshabalala, 29. Moon
Subs: 16. Khuzwayo, 12. Maluleka, 2. Mphahlele, 8. Castro, 30. Ngezana, 28. Zuma, 5. Ntshangase.
Stars: 32. Ngobeni, 5. Masehe, 2. Mobbie, 28. Mahamutsa, 22. Keita, 29. Phungwayo, 21. Mthembu, 27. Tchilimbou, 26. Dlamini, 11. Jantjie, 50. Vilakazi.
Subs: 23. Sangare, 4. Makhehleni, 39. Cosse, 3. Anas, 20. Mashego, 6. Teyise, 13. Maphakisa.
