Former Chiefs reject Thuso Phala grabbed Stars the winner
ANOTHER giant fell in the Telkom Knockout competition as Platinum Stars edged Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in the last-16 round match here yesterday.
It was a plucky performance, particularly towards the end of the extra time from Stars, which saw them through at the expense of their illustrious opponents.
Former Chiefs reject Thuso Phala grabbed Stars the winner, finishing off a beautiful move with a low shot past 'keeper Arthur Bartman in the 103rd minute.
It was a deserved goal, considering that Stars toiled, to great effect, throughout the afternoon under a baking sun.
Striker Henrico Botes capped a good first half for Stars tapping in the opener in the 39th minute from a well-worked counter-attack involving Joseph Molongoane.
But one mistake one should never commit - apart from touring Libya at this time - is to let Chiefs off the hook in a cup game.
Sensing embarrassment, the defending champions put on a better second-half performance and were swiftly rewarded when Sthembiso Ncgobo tapped in from a similar counter-attack in the hour mark.
This time, though, the counter-attack involved quicksilver winger Siphiwe Tshabalala.
The battlefields were once again levelled as Chiefs pegged back their opponents, with Stars retreating into their shells.
But a tongue-lashing from coach Owen Da Gama - during a water break - spurred on Stars, who were looking like kids lost in an amusement park.
Chiefs have dominated this competition for decades.
How the home side could not convert from three clear-cut chances towards the end of this match defied logic.
Chiefs lived dangerously towards the end, Jimmy Tau clearing from the goal line to avert what could have been a deciding goal of the match in the 86th minute. One was left wondering what could have happened had Tau, whose ructions with coach Vladimir Vermezovic almost overshadowed the build-up to the match, been absent from the pitch.
But as if the scares weren't enough for Amakhosi, Lehlohonolo Majoro also had to clear from the goal line, as Stars mounted challenge after challenge.
Phala scythed his shot high in the 83rd minute and again had a stinging shot parried by Bartman in the 88th minute.
The heroics of Arthur Bartman also kept Chiefs in the game, not least with his marvellous saves towards the end. But ultimately his efforts weren't enough.
* In the Mother City, Thami Nqolobe reports that Ajax Cape Town qualified for the quarterfinals with a hard-earned 1-0 win over Free State Stars. SA international George Maluleke scored.
Amakhosi eat humble pie
Former Chiefs reject Thuso Phala grabbed Stars the winner
ANOTHER giant fell in the Telkom Knockout competition as Platinum Stars edged Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in the last-16 round match here yesterday.
It was a plucky performance, particularly towards the end of the extra time from Stars, which saw them through at the expense of their illustrious opponents.
Former Chiefs reject Thuso Phala grabbed Stars the winner, finishing off a beautiful move with a low shot past 'keeper Arthur Bartman in the 103rd minute.
It was a deserved goal, considering that Stars toiled, to great effect, throughout the afternoon under a baking sun.
Striker Henrico Botes capped a good first half for Stars tapping in the opener in the 39th minute from a well-worked counter-attack involving Joseph Molongoane.
But one mistake one should never commit - apart from touring Libya at this time - is to let Chiefs off the hook in a cup game.
Sensing embarrassment, the defending champions put on a better second-half performance and were swiftly rewarded when Sthembiso Ncgobo tapped in from a similar counter-attack in the hour mark.
This time, though, the counter-attack involved quicksilver winger Siphiwe Tshabalala.
The battlefields were once again levelled as Chiefs pegged back their opponents, with Stars retreating into their shells.
But a tongue-lashing from coach Owen Da Gama - during a water break - spurred on Stars, who were looking like kids lost in an amusement park.
Chiefs have dominated this competition for decades.
How the home side could not convert from three clear-cut chances towards the end of this match defied logic.
Chiefs lived dangerously towards the end, Jimmy Tau clearing from the goal line to avert what could have been a deciding goal of the match in the 86th minute. One was left wondering what could have happened had Tau, whose ructions with coach Vladimir Vermezovic almost overshadowed the build-up to the match, been absent from the pitch.
But as if the scares weren't enough for Amakhosi, Lehlohonolo Majoro also had to clear from the goal line, as Stars mounted challenge after challenge.
Phala scythed his shot high in the 83rd minute and again had a stinging shot parried by Bartman in the 88th minute.
The heroics of Arthur Bartman also kept Chiefs in the game, not least with his marvellous saves towards the end. But ultimately his efforts weren't enough.
* In the Mother City, Thami Nqolobe reports that Ajax Cape Town qualified for the quarterfinals with a hard-earned 1-0 win over Free State Stars. SA international George Maluleke scored.
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