Kaizer Chiefs booked their place in the Carling Knockout semi-finals after coming from behind to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Siwelele FC at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Glamour Boys carved out the first real opening inside two minutes when Pule Mmodi was denied by Jody February, but it was Siwelele who struck first against the run of play.
Vincent Pule tested Brandon Petersen in the tenth minute, drawing a low save with his feet to yield a corner. From the resulting delivery, Siyabonga Ndebele rose highest to head home from close range and hand the visitors an 11th-minute lead.
Chiefs looked for an immediate response, but Lebohang Maboe sent a 17th-minute set-piece wide of target as Siwelele kept the hosts at arm’s length.
Amakhosi were handed a golden opportunity to draw level ten minutes before the interval when Maboe was brought down in the box, however, Mduduzi Shabalala failed to convert from 12 yards, dragging his spot-kick off target.
The home side were then awarded a second penalty in first-half stoppage time when Ndebele tripped Mfundo Vilakazi inside the area.
This time around, Wandile Duba stepped up to take responsibility, calmly dispatching the penalty to level matters heading into the break.
Chiefs maintained control in the second period as Solomons fired wide early on, before sending a 60th-minute free-kick off target as the Glamour Boys pressed to complete the turnaround.
Da Cruz turned to his bench on 75 minutes, introducing Flavio Da Silva and Asanele Velebayi for Duba and Shabalala in search of a winner.
The substitution paid instant dividends five minutes later. Da Silva intercepted a loose pass in midfield and slid the ball through for Velebayi, who took one touch before finishing from a tight angle to beat February to give his side the lead.
Da Cruz’s side managed to see out the remaining minutes, protecting their 2-1 lead to book their spot in the Carling Knockout last four.
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
