Brad Morgan
3 December 2007
After an exciting but goalless tussle, Kaizer Chiefs edged out Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 on penalties in the Telkom Knockout Cup final on Saturday night to lay claim to the biggest prize purse in South African football: a cheque for R4.25-million.
Goals were about the only ingredient missing from a fascinating and enthralling contest in which both teams created good opportunities.
Sundowns could have snatched victory at the end of regulation time, but Peter Ndlovu squandered a gilt-edged chance, then Siphiwe Tshabalala could have won it for Chiefs at the end of extra time, but he shot narrowly wide from right in front of the box and barely 10 metres out after Shaun Bartlett had put him through with a sweetly-timed pass.
Penalty shootout
Ultimately, it came down to a penalty shootout and Chiefs' goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, playing in only his twelfth match for the club, rejected three Sundowns' shots to win the
cup for his team.
The Amakhosi's shots from the spot were admittedly less tentative than those taken by the Brazilians, but Khune was spot when guessing which way to dive, despite battling cramp in one of his calves.
It was Chiefs' seventh victory in succession over Sundowns in cup finals, and it marked coach Muhsin Ertugral's fifth win on the trot over the PSL champions after he recorded four victories as Ajax Cape Town coach last season.
First shot in anger
Chiefs managed the first shot in anger of the final when Mabhudi Khenyeza cut in from the left and struck a powerful right-footed shot which goalkeeper Brian Baloyi, parried away.
Sundowns, though, were enjoying the better of the battle in midfield and were putting Ertugral's charges under pressure.
Surprise Moriri was well wide with a shot after Brent Carelse had found him, and just before the break his fellow midfielder Esrom Nyandoro blasted just over the crossbar from a free-kick.
At halftime, Ertugral, realising his team needed to make more of an impact up front, brought on Shaun Bartlett and Kaizer Motaung junior to support the hard-working Khenyeza.
Narrow miss
After the restart, Sundowns almost took the lead after Lerato Chabangu held off two defenders before laying the ball back for Moriri; his snap-shot flew tantalisingly close, past Khune's right-hand post.
As regulation time wound down, Baloyi had to move smartly to save at the feet of Khenyeza after the striker had slipped behind the Brazilians' defence.
Oscar Ntwagae then deflected a goal-bound header by Motaung junior wide of the goals to keep Chiefs at bay.
With time almost up, Downs' Josta Dladla curled in a teasing cross from the right towards the back post. Ndlovu found himself on the end of it, but maybe he was surprised that it wasn't picked up by the man in front of him and his header passed narrowly on the wrong side of the post.
Extra time
In extra time, Chabangu drew oohs and aahs from the crowd when his powerful volley rocketed just past Khune's left-hand post.
The Amakhosi then had a couple of chances to take the lead, but Baloyi first saved superbly from a volley by Bartlett, and then Tshabalala steered his shot wide right after being played in by Bartlett, with a chance to place the ball in either corner of the goals.
After that, it was time for the penalty shootout and time for the 20-year-old Khune to become a new hero for Chiefs' many supporters.
Team effort
Amakhosi coach Muhsin Ertugral paid tribute to Khune after the match, lauding his three spot kick saves, but added that it was a team effort that won Chiefs the title.
He also credited Sundowns for the part they played in an open and exhilarating contest, saying that had it been any other team he doubted the match would have been the spectacle it was.
Sundowns' coach Gordon Igesund said his team had prepared for a penalty shootout, but they lacked accuracy when it was most needed. At the same time, he said Khune turned in a fine performance.
Igesund felt his side deserved something out of the game, but said he had no complaints because his players gave it their all; it simply wasn't enough on the day.
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