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a dazzling fightback

NOT even man-of-the- match Denis Onyango could stop a rampant and fluid Kaizer Chiefs yesterday.

In fact, Amakhosi clawed their way back from 1-0 down to oust SuperSport United 2-1 in the last-32 stage of the Nedbank Cup in an exciting match at Rand Stadium in Johannesburg.

It was a good result for Chiefs' Serb coach, Vladimir Vermezovic, who promised to snatch another trophy following their triumph in the Telkom Knockout eight days earlier.

It was just a shame that their two best chances in the opening half - one in the 14th by Knowledge Musona and the second in the 37th by Mthokozisi Yende - went awry.

With Musona, Abia Nale and Punch Masenamela's precise combination down the left wing, United were literally left rooted to the ground on several occasions.

In fact, among the attacks Amakhosi launched, they had a penalty plea refused when Musona was felled in the area in the 32nd minute, much to the chagrin of his teammates and the Chiefs' die-hards.

Their pleas were waved away by referee Abdul Ebrahim.

Gavin Hunt's side was effectively restricted throughout the half and Arthur Bartman had nothing to do until the 41st minute when Letladi Madubanya banged in a goal, much against the run of play.

But the relentless Chiefs refused to let the setback get to them and were back on level terms in the 64th minute when Yende finally scored after good work by Mandla Masango.

Anthony Laffor could have given his side a second goal in the 72nd minute but was foiled by Bartman and from the resulting corner, Valery Nahayo cleared from the line. Right after that Nale was almost on target but failed to beat Onyango, who was all at sea.

Two minutes from time, Musona was finally rewarded for an afternoon of good work, firing past Onyango who could only watch as the three-time Premiership champions prematurely exited the lucrative competition.

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