Tinashe Nengomasha has fought his way back

The tough-tackling player was conspicuous with his absence in the team’s last couple of matches apparently to sort out what coach Muhsin Etugral termed as ‘personal problems.’

With the 26-year-old back, Chiefs showed character in midfield albeit on a 1-0 loss to Moroka Swallows in this MTN 8 semifinal clash.

The score line counted for nothing in the end as Chiefs had a 2-0 lead from the first leg.

 Swallows were the first to find their feet in the game and it was not a surprise as Morgan Shivambo fired his shot over the bar after Chiefs defence failed to clear the ball.

Then minutes later as the Birds search for an early goal, had their goal disallowed after assistant referee, Toko Malebo adjudged Sandile Ndlovu to be in an off side position.

Midway through the first half Chiefs started playing their normal game as they threatened Swallows using both wings with Siphiwe Tshabalala and David Mathebula prominently. It was the latter who watched his well struck shot going over the bar after following good work from Gert Schalkwyk.

Sandile Ndlovu struck an excellent grass cutter that also went agonizingly wide of Emile Baron’s goals after he found a space to shoot from 25 yards.

Moroka Swallows started the second half with a bang and were rewarded as Ryan Botha’s volley found the back of the net at the 58th minute. This was after Kaizer Chiefs defence failed to clear a corner kick taken by Cecil Oerson. They could have doubled their lead few minutes later when Vinicius Da Silva’s flying header went just wide following a superb cross from Cecil Oerson.

Kaizer Chiefs woes continued as striker, Jose Torrealba was sent off at the 51st minute by referee, Peter Mabuza for his second bookable offence. Swallows came close at the 84th minutes as Emile Baron denied Vinicius Da Silva who connected Cecil Oerson’s corner kick brilliantly.

Swallows tried to find the second goal to force the match to extra time but found it difficult to break Chiefs defensive wall mannered by both Jonathan Quartey and Valery Nahayo. Amakhosi will now meet Mamelodi Sundowns in the final on 20 September at a venue to be decided by the cup committee.

CAJ News Agency