Lucky 11 for Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs won their 11th Telkom Charity Cup title and broke a seven-year drought in the traditional season-opening competition when they defeated Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates 4-3 on penalties in the final at Soccer City on Saturday evening. The match had finished 1-1 after 90 minutes.
The Amakhosi, who had last won the trophy in 2003, denied the Buccaneers a hat-trick of Charity Cup titles after they had claimed the two previous editions in 2008 and 2009.
The game got off to a fast, end-to-end start that saw the teams exchange scoring chances in the opening ten minutes.
Both sides made significant changes to their line-ups after their respective exertions in the semifinals and allowed some new signings the chance to shine on the hallowed Soccer City turf.
Young Chiefs striker Lucky Khune had the first sight of goal after meeting a Siphiwe Tshabalala cross at the back post but he unselfishly looked to provide a cushioned knock-down (that was easily cleared) when perhaps a header on goal was the better option.
Yet on 13 minutes Khune showed no lack of decisiveness in scoring the game’s opening goal, firing a fierce right-footed drive into the top corner of the net after strike partner Sthembiso Ngcobo had cleverly played him into space on the edge of the penalty area.
The emphatic nature of Khune’a finish was matched only by the agility in his celebration, as the 21-year-old back-flipped his way along the Pirates by-line before being mobbed by his teammates.
Amakhosi were perhaps fortunate not to be reduced to ten men on 18 minutes when Jimmy Jambo cynically pulled down Lucky Lekgwathi after the Pirates man looked set for a good scoring chance, but referee Daniel Bennett opted for yellow rather than red – it is a preseason ‘friendly’ competition, after all.
The resultant free kick almost saw new Buccaneers midfielder Mark Mayambela net his first goal for the club, stinging the palms of Arthur Bartman with a well-struck shot that the ‘keeper had to deflect over his own crossbar.
Pirates had the better of the remainder of the first stanza but found Chiefs’ defence too well organised to net an equaliser prior to the half time whistle.
The Buccaneers made two changes at the start of the second half, introducing Ezenwa Otorogu and Phenyo Mongala in an effort to get themselves back in the hunt. Ten minutes into the second half the team in black did draw level, though it was through an unlikely source: Lucky Lekgwathi.
The veteran found himself completely unmarked as he ran round the back of the Chiefs defence to meet an Isaac Chansa free kick and easily headed beyond the reach of a helpless Bartman to make the score 1-1 with 35 minutes to play.
On 70 minutes Pirates sliced open the Amakhosi defence with a swift passing movement that gave Ndumiso Mabena a sight of goal but the young striker tried to ‘buy’ a soft penalty by tumbling in the penalty area.
Bennett gave no spot kick and booked Mabena for simulation instead; television replays showed the referee’s decision was a good one.
A short while later, Chiefs almost caught out Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs with a quick free kick from Tshabalala that flashed just over the crossbar.
It was then Pirates substitute Tlou Segolela who threatened to add to the score line and his sizzling shot after cutting inside from the left drew a terrific save from Bartman.
However, no further goals were scored in regulation time and the match went directly to a penalty shootout following the final whistle.
Both sides missed their second round of spot kicks but Chiefs converted their other four – Pirates’ Mongala was left with the responsibility of his side’s final kick to keep them in the contest but he blazed it high over the bar to hand the Amakhosi a 4-3 win.
Orlando Pirates (0) 1 (Lekgwathi 55’)
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1 (L. Khune 13’) – Chiefs win 4-3 on penalties
Pirates: (4-4-2) Josephs; Lekgwathi, Jele (Shendzelani 83’), Mahamutsa, Cloete; Masina (Mongala 46’), Jali (Tipa 87’), Chansa, Mayambela (Segolela 66’); Malokase (Otorogu 46’), Mabena (Schalkwyk 78’)
Chiefs: (4-4-2) Bartman; Tau (Mmbooi 90’), Rooi, Nahayo, Jambo; Tshabalala, Ncanana, Sibeko (Jacobs 90’), Songwiqi (Torrealba 61’); L. Khune (Sitayitayi 78’), Ngcobo (Nhleko 61’)
Penalty sequence: (Chiefs shoot first) Torrealba scores 1-0, Mahamutsa scores 1-1; Ncanana misses 1-1, Chansa misses 1-1; Mmbooi scores 1-2, Schalkwyk scores 2-2; Sitayitayi scores 2-3, Lekgwathi scores 3-3; Tshabalala scores 3-4, Mongala misses 3-4. Chiefs win 4-3.