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.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/if-we-were-playing-basketball-we.html?m=1

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. 

If we were playing basketball, we probably could have won with a 30 or 40 points - Riveiro.

According to Orlando Pirates coach, Jose Riveiro, his side did enough to beat Dondol Stars in regulation time, but they were just unlucky with their final touch.

Amabhakaniya had to go through the agony of a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw with the third tiers after extra-time.

 "I was quite calm on the bench. I was quite sure that we would make it before the penalties, but it’s a football game, and anything can happen," Riveiro told the media as quoted by Goal.com
https://www.goal.com/en-za/news/did-orlando-pirates-underrate-dondol-stars-in-nedbank-cup-riveiro-was-quite-sure-bucs-will-not-go-to-penalties/bltac488e6120e47e18

"If we were playing basketball, we probably could have won with a 30 or 40 points advantage. But this is football, and it’s very complex. It’s easy and complex at the same time, but these things can happen."

"[Penalties] are not what we planned. But at the same time, it was not a surprise. It’s a cup game, and these games are special, that’s why we love the cups everywhere around the world, and South Africa is not an exception."

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/dondol-must-be-proud-while-pirates-must.html?m=1

Riveiro admitted they faced a good team in Dondol, taking a veiled dig at Supersport United and AmaZulu, by mentioning how there are couple of teams in the PSL who know Dondol very well.

"We faced a good team, there are a couple of PSL teams who can tell you about them, and we managed to do enough to avoid the penalties, to be honest, but we were very unlucky in the last touch."

Mokwena gives an insight into Sundowns declining performances.

After his side's shock 2-1 defeat to Stellenbosch FC in Saturday's Nedbank Cup quarter-final, Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, Rulani Mokwena has revealed some the factors such as that have led to the team's unconvincing performances lately.

Sundowns have won just one out of their last six matches, drawing four and losing one across all competitions.

According to Mokwena, fixture congestion doesn't give Sundowns enough time to plan for the opposition, while fatigue is also becoming a factor.

While it might be argued that Sundowns have the luxury of a big, quality squad, which means they can rotate their players to the keep their squad fresh, team synergy becomes compromised, leading to below par performances.

"As I sit here as their coach I'm more proud of them than I've ever have been because despite the pressures, despite how difficult it is, we play against every opponent that has time to prepare for us and we only have one or two days to prepare for an opponent physically," Mokwena said after the game as quoted by Times Live.
https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-04-16-our-opponents-play-a-game-a-week-mokwena-laments-after-sundowns-cup-shock/

"Our opponents only play one game a week. Of course the element of freshness comes in and you could see it in certain moments today. Tactically they have time to review and come with plans and solutions.

"You could see it with all the opposition we've played so far. But it's not for us to find excuses. There are  no excuses. We have to win football matches and when we don't win we have to see why we didn't win.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/rulani-must-stop-doing-certain-players.html?m=1

"In moments like these you'd think the opponent is better, and like in any other competitive sports, if the opponent is better you take the defeat and you move on."

Sundowns will next play against CR Belouizdad in a Caf Champions League quarter-final on Saturday 22 April at the Stade Nelson Mandela.

Dondol must be proud, while Pirates must balance their game - Tso Vilakazi.

Orlando Pirates advanced to the Nedbank Cup semi-finals after beating a determined Dondol Stars 5-4 on penalties at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder, and iDiski TV analyst, Benedict 'Tso' Vilakazi was left impressed by the ABC Motsepe League side.

"These boys should walk with their heads up, and be proud of themselves, it is not often that you see a team from the third division playing a PSL team and dominate the game in all departments," Tso told iDiski TV. 

"But like I always say, you can't go to Woolworths or Pick n Pay to buy experience, it is earned.

"Those boys only lacked experience, the football they displayed, the chances they created, it was just lack of experience in terms of choosing the right passes and the right moments to make those passes, that's all. Well done to them for taking Pirates to penalties."

While Vilakazi was impressed with Dondol, he feels his former club, Pirates lack balance in their game.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/rulani-must-stop-doing-certain-players.html?m=1

"Pirates need to balance their game, you can't always use width to win games because teams watch your games and catch up with your tactics.

"They make life easy for their opponents, who just have to make sure they stop their wing play, that's what Dondol did. They made sure they covered the width and played through the middle, that's why they looked good.

"Pirates don't have midfielders who can influence the game through the middle, that's why they struggle, they need to balance their play."

Pirates next match will be against Cape Town City on Saturday 22 April at Orlando Stadium.

Kick-off will be at 15:00.

Rulani must stop doing certain players favours - Khanye.

Mamelodi Sundowns lost 2-1 to Stellenbosch FC in a Nedbank Cup quarter-final match played at Athlone Stadium on Saturday evening.

On the back of Sundowns loss, Diski TV analyst, Junior Khanye, believes it is time for coach Rulani Mokwena to stop doing certain players favours.

Khanye believes Peter Shalulile was not supposed to be kept on the pitch for so many minutes when he was actually not contributing anything.

"I don't understand why Shalulile was kept for many minutes, whilst the guy did nothing, keep him only if he gives you something," Khanye told iDiski TV.

"Yes uMshishi (Themba Zwane) was quiet, and Sirino as well, they were substituted, but why keep Shalulile?

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/after-stellenbosch-loss-how-deep-can.html?m=1

"Because even in the Swallows game the guy missed so many chances. I know that he's been scoring for them, but why keep him in the game until the 94th minute? That was a blunder from the coach."

Khanye believes there are players who just know that they will make the starting 11 at Sundowns, judging by their body language.

"And one thing that Rulani needs to learn, because he is going to face this situation again (teams playing like Stellenbosch) in the Dstv Premiership next season, and the Caf Champions league, they got quality players (Sundowns), make no mistake, but the mistake that the coach makes is that he sometimes do certain players favours.

"There are players, if you judge by their body language, who know they are always going to play. Look at Mvala's blunder, but truly speaking, I am sure he is going to play in the next game.

"According to me, De Reuck (Rushine) is supposed to play there. Jali (Andile) as well, I heard in the media Mike Makaab saying he is not going back there, but next season, going into the champions league, they will need Jali in that position (number six).

"Rulani needs to go back to the drawing board. There are certain players at Sundowns who must earn their positions in the starting 11. He mustn't go with history, he must select players according to their current performances," he concluded.

Sundowns will now turn their attention to the Caf Champions League quarter-finals, with CR Belouizdad awaiting them on Saturday 22 April at Stade Nelson Mandela, Algeria.

Pirates official infuriates Dondol.

      Image: Lorenz Kohler Twitter

Orlando Pirates advanced to the Nedbank Cup semi-finals after a hard fought 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Dondol Stars.

But the much anticipated clash did not end without some controversy.

A Pirates official allegedly put Dondol keeper, Sphamandla Gumede's life at risk by taking away his water bottle.

According to Dondol co-coach, Khuliso Rashamuse, their keeper asthma, so he keeps water next to him at all times next to his goal posts, since he can't have his pump on the field.

"Spha had a water bottle by the goalposts and it was just pure, pure water. So the cadre there from Orlando Pirates I don’t know his name but that was very disgusting, you don’t do that," said Rashamuse after the match as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/nedbank-cup/that-was-disgusting-rashamuse/

"Because you know this is a game of tempers we end up losing our tempers and respect. Spha has asthma. So if he doesn’t have the pump he needs the water that’s why I was angry.

"He went there and took the water bottle, now the game is on and Spha is focusing on the guy that was doing that. That was a total zero for me."

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/if-anything-pirates-should-win-nedbank.html?m=1

In football you can never be too sure, probably the poor Pirates official might have thought there was some muthi on that water bottle, and decided to take one for the team.

If anything, Pirates should win the Nedbank Cup.

Orlando Pirates survived scary moments to defeat a stubborn Dondol Stars 5-4 on penalties on Saturday afternoon at Peter Mokaba stadium.

The match had ended 1-1 after extra time, with Thembinkosi Lorch netting for Pirates in the 55th minute, before Tebogo Makungo quickly replied for Dondol in the 57th minute.

At the end of the match, statistics spoke of a dominant Pirates that should have won the game in regulation time, with 66% ball possession, 23 attempts on goal, and eight on target.

Compare that to Dondol's 44% possession, seven goal attempts, and just three on target.

It was a mismatch right? Wrong!

Dondol were determined to claim another Dstv Premiership scalp, having disposed of SuperSport United, and AmaZulu FC in the round of 32 and the last 16 respectively.

With the 'prize' of winning against Pirates much higher, they were not just about to roll out the red carpet for Bucs, stand on the side, and clap for them on their way to victory.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/after-stellenbosch-loss-how-deep-can.html?m=1

Dondol fought like a team possessed, and Pirates should thank their guardian ghosts for avoiding an embarrassing defeat.

Ironic this might sound, but Pirates slayed a giant in Dondol Stars.

It must be said, Pirates looks like a team ordained to win the Nedbank Cup.

From getting what may be called the luck of the draw, which is not so lucky if you ask me, and actually making it to the semi-finals without playing a Dstv Premiership side, now, what is the worst that could go wrong?

Pirates have survived the worst, which is the threat of the unknown when it comes to second and third tier teams.

Whoever is left in the semi-finals will be an open book to Bucs.

On that note, with the football Gods having played their cards in Pirates favor from the beginning of the tournament, it will be a disappointment to them if the team fails to lift their second trophy of the season with the Nedbank Cup.