Kaizer Chiefs edge Siwelele to secure Carling Knockout Cup semi-final spot

Siyabonga Ndebele opened the scoring for the visitors to the Peter Mokaba Stadium after 19 minutes.

Wandile Duba drew Amakhosi level from the penalty spot just before half-time and substitute Asanele Velebayi secured the win shortly after his introduction late in the second half.

Duba was handed penalty duties after Mduduzi Shabalala missed an earlier spotkick, and it was a lively Shabalala, who had the first chance of the tie with a smart shot, following a neat-give-and-go from the first corner of the game, but Jody February made a strong save at his near post.

Brandon Petersen then needed be alert to make an instinctive stop to keep out a Sphesihle Jeza effort from the edge of the area after Chiefs failed to clear their lines from a fifth minute corner.

Vincent Pule forced another corner after a positive run down the left flank and low cross that was kept out by Petersen.

And Siwlele were to make the most of the set-piece to take a shock lead, with Manelisi Mazibuko's corner played deep where Ndebele rose high above Sibongiseni Mthethwa to head across goal and into the back of the net.

Vilakazi had an opportunity to level for Amakhosi but could only float his 19th minute free-kick onto the roof of the Siwelele goal.

Duba was just offside as he looked to break through the Siwelele defence and latch on to a good ball out of defence from Dillon Solomons as Chiefs were making a number of forays into their opponents' box but without threatening.

Vilakazi did well to work some space for a pass on the edge of the area but Duba was quickly closed out, before a through ball from Thabo Moloisane was completely overhit.

Amakhosi were supposed to have drawn level from a 37th minute penalty after Vilakazi went down in the box under a challenge from Pule, but Shabalala curled his spotkick wide of the right upright.

Shabalala should have done better with the half winding down as he looked to break through on goal but his touch let him down, allowing February to collect.

Jeza tried his luck at the other end in first half stoppage time but his effort flew well wide of the target, but there was still time for more drama before the break as Shabalala won a penalty at the feet of Ndebele.

Duba stepped up this time and made no mistake as he slotted his spotkick down the middle of the net.

The first real piece of action of the second half saw Solomons race through a number of Siwelele players before passing the ball just past the left post of February.

Vilakazi hit a 52nd minute set-piece direct into the Siwelele wall before some good skill from Pule Mmodi to cut inside from the left, and nearly tested February with a snat shot that hit the sidenetting, while Solomons wasn't too far off with a 62st minute free-kick he looked to curl into the far corner

Mazibuko wanted a penalty after a shoulder challenge from Mthethwa but the referee waved play on. Chiefs then introduced Fabio Sa Silva and Velebayi on the 74th minute mark for Shabalala and Duba in a bid to freshen up their attack.

The second was certainly a more measured affair with less direct action, but with neither side really able to keep hold of the ball in threatening areas. Da Silva ran out of space as he looked to twist and turn in the box without a real option to pick out.

Thulani Mabaso then came on for Amakhosi for Lebohang Moboe in a straight swap with 10 minutes of the match remaining.

Siwelele also rang the changes but it was ultimately the Chiefs' changes that made the difference.

A poor ball out of defence was picked up by Da Silva, and the tall striker put it on a plate for Velebayi to slot home through the legs of February.

Siwlele looked to respond but the momentum was with the home side, who held on for the win, and a semi-final match up against Mamelodi Sundowns after the draw for the last four was held directly after the match.Stellenbosch will face Orlando Pirates in the other semi-final after seeing off AmaZulu 2-1, also on Sunday.

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