They huffed and they puffed, for 98 minutes before they could break down a resolute Maritzburg United defense.
But in the end, the once mighty Amakhosi made it into the round of sixteen, and that is all that will matter to their under pressure coach, Arthur Zwane.
Maritzburg United were reduced to ten men after Travis Graham was sent off for denying Kaizer Chiefs a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Graham’s sending off put the Team of Choice under immense pressure, with a determined Kaizer Chiefs looking for a breakthrough in front of a capacity crowd fully behind them.
But Fadlu David’s men managed to hold on until the end of the 90 minutes.
With the lottery of a penalty shootout looking more like a possibility, Christian Saile Basomboli took an opportunity to properly introduce himself to the Amakhosi fans with his first goal for the club in the 98th minute.
Not to be out-done by his new teammate, Ashley Du Preez hammered the final nail into Maritzburg United coffin with Amakhosi’s second goal in the 113th minute.
From then on, there was no coming back for Maritzburg United as Amakhosi booked their ticket into the last 16.
Can they go all the way?
Cape Town Spurs through to the last 16.
In another Nedbank Cup encounter played yesterday, Cape Town Spurs also booked their ticket to the last sixteen after hammering Baroka FC 3-0 in Cape Town.
Goals from Moosa 56′, Butsaka 88′, and Ryan 90+3′ were enough to send the in form Shaun Bartlett’s side into the next round of the Ke Yona cup.
Bathusi Aubaas’s R3 million Sekhukhune United deal falls through.
Bathusi Aubaas will have to suck it up and get down to work at TS Galaxy after his proposed big money move to Babina noko fell through.
Luckily for him, his coach has no hard feelings towards him.
“Absolutely [he is part of the plans], he is a great guy, great player,” Ramovic said when asked by iDiski Times about his failed move, ahead of their clash against Amavarara.
“He had some ideas, fine. But this for me, I will just put the best team on the field and if Aubaas trains well, he just came back from an injury, if he trains well and shows quality on the field, then he will play, absolutely.
“Our goal is to win games, so we have to put the best eleven on the field that the level [of training shows me] during the week, and if he’s that guy who impressed me, he will play.”
Sorry Aubaas, next time mate!
Marou, Makhaula to make their Pirates debuts?
If Orlando Pirates’s statement is anything to go by, Mabena might make his second full debut, with latest signings in Makhaula and Marou also expected to start for Bucs.
“The switch to cup football could also present coach José Riveiro with the opportunity to rotate his squad, and January arrivals Souaibou Marou and Makhehlene Makhaula could debut for the Club while the likes of Ndumiso Mabena and Craig Martin could be up for their first starts in Pirates colours,” a club statement read yesterday.
Also Read: Should Mamelodi Sundowns Let Saveedra Go?
Zamalek beaten at home.
Zamalek had a nightmare of a start to their CAF Champions’ league group stages after they were beaten 0-1 at home by CR Belouizdad.
The goal that broke Zamalek’s hearts was scored by Cameroon youth international Leonel Djouffo.
In another CAFCL encounter, Raja AC beat Vipers SC 3-0 to start their CAFCL campaign on a high note.
That is the round folks!! Let us meet again tomorrow, same place, same time!
