Michael Madyira
Kaizer Chiefs are out of the MTN8 following a 0-0 draw in the semi-final second leg against AmaZulu on Sunday.
After the reverse leg at FNB Stadium ended 1-1, AmaZulu had the away goals rule to thank and progressed to the final on a 1-1 aggregate scoreline.
Usuthu now meet Orlando Pirates in the final after the Buccaneers dismissed Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 in Limpopo on Saturday.
As for Chiefs, they will now have to wait longer to claim their first piece of silverware since 2015 following their MTN8 exit.
Amakhosi striker Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana was a surprise starter amid reports that he would be out for a month with an injury.
Coach Arthur Zwane threw Brandon Petersen in goals with captain Itumeleng Khune injured.
For AmaZulu, captain Makhehlene Makhaula was back in the starting line-up after being benched in their last match against Maritzburg United.
With 10 minutes into the contest, Keagan Dolly’s grounder from outside the box went just wide and that was Chiefs’ only attempt at goal in the first half.
Five minutes later, AmaZulu almost profited from Petersen’s poor clearance but Siphesihle Maduna’s effort narrowly missed the target before George Maluleka tested the Chiefs goalkeeper with a powerful shot moments later.
The hosts thought they had won a penalty when Zitha Kwinika and Sifiso Hlanti combined to bring Augustine Kwem down inside the box but referee Jelly Chavani waved play on.
Good scoring opportunities continued to come Usuthu’s way and Kwem lobbed over the bar with only Petersen to beat five minutes before the break.
Maduna then skied his effort from inside the box when he needed to coolly connect after being set up by Kwem just before halftime.
Few chances characterised the second stanza although Amakhosi gave more pressure knowing a 1-1 draw would doom them.
Just a minute after his introduction, Khama Billiat was slow inside the box to meet a fine Kgaogelo Sekgota pass when there was only AmaZulu keeper Veli Mothwa to deal with.
With 10 minutes remaining Dolly’s curler from outside the box narrowly missed the target as Chiefs pressed for just a goal to reach the final.
But the Soweto giants never created any clear-cut chances and AmaZulu coach Romain Folz pushed more numbers at the back to defend.
The hosts held on and Chiefs’ hopes of a first trophy under Zwane went up in smoke.
Image source: @AmaZulu FC
