Staff Reporter.
Kaizer Chiefs were eliminated from the MTN8 after drawing 0-0 with AmaZulu Football Club in Sunday’s semi-final second-leg clash in Durban.
Usuthu got the crucial away goal in a 1-1 draw last weekend and this time managed to keep the Amakhosi scoreless to advance.
Chiefs, whose attack was blunt against AmaZulu, bowed out of the tournament and they will now face Orlando Pirates in a Soweto Derby clash on Saturday.
Amakhosi did most of the attacking in the opening exchanges as they looked to grab an early goal, but they looked vulnerable at the back when Usuthu launched their quick counterattacks.
Sphesihle Maduna’s low shot narrowly missed in the 16th minute from inside the visitors’ box and eight minutes later, George Maluleka’s attempt from range was saved by Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, who was well-positioned to make a save.
AmaZulu continued to threaten on the counterattack with Maluleka playing a through pass for Augustine Chidi Kwem, whose chipped effort flew over Petersen’s goal-posts in the 41st minute. The score was 0-0 at halftime.
Chiefs were the better side after the restart, but they suffered a major blow when their top scorer in the current term, Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana, went down injured and he was replaced by Khama Billiat in the 62nd minute.
AmaZulu stood firm at the back, with the Amakhosi failing to penetrate their solid defence. Chiefs’ long-range shots missed the target without seriously testing keeper Veli Mothwa, and ultimately, the match ended in a 0-0 draw.