Mangethe [Samkelo] gave us that edge - Zwane.

Kaizer Chiefs edged a step closer to their first trophy in eight years when they defeated Royal AM 2-1 in a Nedbank Cup quarter-final match played at Chartsworth Stadium, Durban, on Sunday evening.

A Thabo Matlaba own goal in the 36th minute, and a Yusuf Maart penalty in the 102nd minute of extra-time ensured Chiefs' passage into the semi-finals, where they will meet Orlando Pirates.

21-year-old Midfielder, Samkelo Zwane's contribution in the middle of the park, was one of the main factors that led to Amakhosi's victory, according to head coach, Arthur Zwane.

"We started brightly and controlled the space. Mangethe (Samkelo Zwane) gave us that edge in terms of dictating terms in the middle," said Zwane as quoted by The Citizen. https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/local-soccer/zwane-explains-how-chiefs-forced-royal-am-errors-in-cup-tie/

"They are a ball playing team and once you give them space they can hurt you at any given time.

"So, we had to first control and also utilise the space that is created when their fullbacks go forward. 

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"For the better part of the game we managed to do that. We controlled them but obvious lapses in concentration in dead ball situations made us give them hope. 

"But that was a wake up call and we looked like we could get a goal at any given time."

Having disposed of Royal AM, Chiefs will turn their attention to the business of hunting for the Caf Champions league spot in the coming weekend.

They travel to Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday 22 April to face Sekhukhune United at 15:00.

Chiefs beat Royal AM to reach the Nedbank Cup semi-finals.

Kaizer Chiefs came out victorious from Chartsworth Stadium on Sunday evening when they came from behind to beat Royal AM 2-1 to reach the Nedbank Cup semi-finals.

After falling behind from a well taken header by Lesego Manganyi from a corner kick in the 28th minute, Chiefs were handed a life line in the 36th minute when Thabo Matlaba directed an Edmilson Dove free-kick into his own net.

In the 102nd minute in extra-time, Yusuf Maart converted from the penalty spot to put Chiefs ahead after Mduduzi Shabalala was hacked down inside the area by Royal AM goalkeeper, Xolani Ngcobo.

It might have taken extra-time to separate the two sides, but Chiefs were dominant from the beginning, raiding the Royal AM defence with wave after wave of attacks.

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Amakhosi averaged 54% ball possession, and were by far the better side on the field, with the young Samkelo Zwane and Maart pulling the strings in midfield, while Keagan Dolly and Ashley Du Preez were a constant threat to the Royal AM defence.

It was in the final third where they were found wanting, managing 10 shots on goal with just two on target.

As for Royal AM, they just didn't come to the party on Sunday evening, despite an electrifying atmosphere in their home ground that invited them to play their best football.

Thwihli Thwahla gave a flat performance that didn't deserve to take them to extra-time.

Nonetheless, they did manage 15 goal attempts, most harmless to Brandon Peterson, and three shots on target.

Chiefs will now face Orlando Pirates in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup, with the venue and date to be confirmed.

But before that, they have a date with Sekhukhune United on Sunday 23 April, 15:00, at Peter Mokaba Stadium in a league match. 

Maduka is not worried about red cards and penalties.

Royal AM will host Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday in a Nedbank Cup quarterfinal match at Chartsworth Stadium.

With this particular encounter being a cup game between two sides who usually have a good go at each other, a high intensity contest will be expected.

High intensity matches often come with players making wrong decisions under pressure, leading to unnecessary red cards and penalties given away.

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While the Chiefs name has become synonymous with red cards and penalties, John Maduka, Royal AM's head coach, believes Amakhosi cannot be blamed for that.

Instead, he has emphasized that his players will have to play with caution to avoid giving away penalties, which he says, are nothing but just another part of the game.

"You can't blame Chiefs for playing with an advantage [of an extra nan] because the decisions [red cards] are not made by them," Maduka told KickOff. https://www.snl24.com/kickoff/sanews/premiership/kaizer-chiefs/maduka-defends-chiefs-over-red-cards-debate-20230412

"They [Chiefs] just go out there and play the game, what's for us is to focus because that happens in football, whereby there can be red cards and penalties."

Chiefs have been awarded 10 penalties in the league this season, with seven opposition players players sent off against them.

An infuriated Stellenbosch FC coach, Steve Barker, when as far as saying maybe Chiefs should practice playing against 10 man considering how often they have to face that situation in matches.

Barker was speaking after his Stellies side were reduced to 10 man for the second time against Amakhosi this season, with a total of four penalties awarded against them.

Royal AM vs Kaizer Chiefs will Kickoff at 18:00.

Maduka expects war against Chiefs.

Royal AM will host Kaizer Chiefs in a much anticipated Nedbank Cup quarterfinal encounter on Sunday 16 April at Chartsworth Stadium, Durban.

Matches between Thwihli Thwahla and Amakhosi are always intense affairs, and this one, considering how both these clubs would love to get their hands on the trophy, will be no different.

Perhaps, what makes it even more interesting is the fact that Chiefs are yet to beat Royal AM at Chartsworth, something Amakhosi will pull all the stops to achieve this time around, with the Nedbank Cup being their last short at winning some silverware this season.

Royal AM head coach, John Maduka, who returned to the side after an unsuccessful spell with neighbors, Maritzburg United, has managed to bring back a bit more organization and discipline tactically to Thwihli Thwahla's game, something that let them down dearly towards the beginning of the second round of the season.

The experienced mentor says he expects war against Chiefs, because of the way teams raise their game when they play Royal AM.

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"This is where this makes the game very difficult. If you look at it, not only Kaizer Chiefs, all the teams that play against Royal AM, you find that this week they are playing totally different games," said Maduka during the Nedbank Cup press conference ahead of Sunday's clash.

“But when they come playing against us, it’s war. In other words, everyone wants to beat us, which we must be ready for.”   

Kick off will be at 18:00.

Chiefs set their sights on the Nedbank Cup.

 

Kaizer Chiefs will take on Royal AM in a Nedbank Cup quarterfinal encounter on Sunday afternoon at Chartsworth Stadium, Durban.

While Royal AM have always proven to be difficult opponents for Amakhosi, coach Arthur Zwane and his men will take heart from their 2-0 win over their rivals the last time the two sides clashed, in a game that was played at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

With Chiefs also aiming for the all-important Caf Champions league spot, Zwane has made it clear that his side is determined to compete in both the league and the nedbank Cup, which is the last trophy on offer this season.

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“We don’t choose games at Kaizer Chiefs, we play to win every game,” Zwane said as quoted by Times Live. https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-04-13-we-want-to-win-everything-says-kaizer-chiefs-coach-arthur-zwane/

“As much as we want to finish in position two in the standings at the end of the season, we still want to win the cup too. That has been the culture of the club; you know that the history of the club has always been about winning silverware for our supporters.

“We take every game very seriously and we are not going to select games. We are not going to say this game is more important than the other one because all games are important.”

 In the previous encounter between the two sides, Chiefs managed to put on an effective performance without having to dominate possession, while Royal AM enjoyed 56% off the ball, they only fashioned 12 goal attempts, with just a single shot on target.

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 As for Amakhosi, they made their 44% possession count, with 19 goal attempts and nine shots on target, which yielded two goals from Sifiso Hlanti, and Ashley Du Preez.

 Zwane will be hoping for more of the same on Sunday, in a game that is expected to produce a lot of goal mouth action, considering the offensive mentality of both teams.

 While zwane has made his intentions clear concerning Sunday’s match, John maduka would be secretly hoping his side can go all the way in the Nedbank Cup, which is something that will give them a passage back to Africa, to compete in the Caf Confederations Cup.