Kaizer Chief needed more than 90 minutes to overcome a stubborn Maritzburg United outfit in the Nedbank Cup, as the Soweto giants advanced to the Round of 16 following a 2-0 win at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday night.
As the feeling out process began, Chiefs won the battle in the middle of the park and passed the ball around with confidence. Sitting tight, Maritzburg United were reduced to defending on the edge of their penalty area.
In search of an opener, Amakhosi penned Maritzburg back in their own 18-yard area with slick, intricate passing movements. The Team of Choice remained under the kosh with around 15 minutes on the clock and struggled to get out of their own half.
As the dust settled, Maritzburg slowly worked their way into the game, albeit by way of counter attacking moves. However, Amakhosi regrouped swiftly and regained their momentum.
The team of Choice were reduced to 10 men moments before the end of the first half, as Travis Graham received his second yellow of the match following a rough challenge on Mduduzi Shabalala in the middle of the park.
The Soweto giants created several goalscoring opportunities before the end of the first half, however, Maritzburg did enough to fend off Chiefs' attacking moves as the scoreline remained at 0-0.
Chiefs starte the second half on a positive note and looked sharp with the extra man on the pitch. Ashley Du Preez and Keagan Dolly looked to get their name on the scoresheet with long range efforts, which was dealt with by the Maritzburg goalkeeper.
The Soweto giants remained in control of the match as the hour mark approached and continuously looked for openings in the Maritzburg half. Despite being a man down, the Team of Choice fought back and created a couple of goalscoring chances of their own.
In was the tale of the two goalkeepers, as both King Ndlovu and Brandon Petersen kept their sides in the game with scintillating saves with 20 minute to go.
The Glamour Boys carved out several goalscoring chances but were let down by poor finishing when it mattered most. With the introduction of Kgaogelo Sekgota, Amakhosi looked dangerous down the left hand flank as the attacker looked to stretch the Maritzburg backline.
After a mammoth defensive effort by Maritzburg United, Chiefs were unable to make the most of their chances in the final third as the game headed into extra time.
However, Chiefs took the lead just two minutes into the extra-time period, after making way down the right hand side of the Maritzburg backline. With a ball played into the area, Alton Macheke headed the ball back into the danger zone, which was miss controlled by Ndlovu. In popping up at the right moment, Christian Basomboli slotted the ball into the back of the net.
With a goal and a man down, Maritzburg continued to attack and appeared to have caught a second wind in the second-half of extra time. In fact, Amadou Soukouna managed to manufacture a shot that hit Amakhosi upright, much to the surprise of Peterson in goal.
In a moment that killed off the encounter, Chief doubled their lead 22 minutes into the extra time period. After making way down their left hand flank, Happy Mashiane found Du Preez with a pin-point cross into the area, as the attacker’s first time volley found the back of the net.
The game ended 2-0 into Chiefs' favour as the Soweto giants advanced to the Round of 16 of the Nedbank Cup.
Maritzburg United: (0) 0
Kaizer Chiefs: (0) 2 (Basomboli 93’ Du Preez 113’)
Maritzburg: Ndlovu, Cross, Moloisane, De Goede, Jooste, Meza (Ritchie 43’), Graham, Palace (Buthelezi ), Tlolane (Bhengu 43’), Karim, (Human 53’) Peprah (Soukouna 72’)
Chiefs: Peterson, Hlanti (Mashiane 80’), Edmilson, Macheke (N.Ngcobo 121’), Ngezana, Maart (Nange 80’), Sithebe, Du Preez, Shabalala (Duba 45’), Dolly (Sekgota 62’), Saile Basomboli (Matlou 121’)