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Molefi Ntseki marked his entry as Kaizer Chiefs' coach with a spectacular comeback, edging out Cape Town City 2-1 in a pulsating clash during the MTN8 quarterfinals at Athlone Stadium on Sunday.
Cape Town City drew first blood through Marc van Heerden's strike in the 23rd minute. Yet, the Kaizer Chiefs showed their mettle as Ashley Du Preez leveled the contest just before the halftime whistle.
The second half crackled with intensity, but goals remained elusive until the dying moments. Edson Castillo emerged as the hero, landing a dramatic blow deep into injury time, notching his third consecutive game-winner. This nail-biting finish bolstered Ntseki's hopes of a maiden-season trophy.
Eric Tinkler, the mastermind behind City, had nonchalantly downplayed the MTN8's significance for his squad. Nevertheless, his team made an assertive start, putting Kaizer Chiefs on the defensive.
The game had a cautious beginning, only to explode when Van Heerden rose to head in City's lead from a corner kick in the 23rd minute. But the Chiefs showed resilience as Mduduzi Mdantsane's setup allowed Du Preez to restore parity, setting the stage for an enthralling second half.
The latter half of the game was punctuated by near-misses and tense exchanges, yet the scoreline remained unaltered until the electrifying climax. With the clock winding down, Castillo seized the moment, slotting home a close-range shot in the fourth minute of injury time. His heroics clinched a sensational victory for the Kaizer Chiefs.
Cape Town City 1 - van Heerden 23'
Kaizer Chiefs 2 - Du Preez 36', Castillo 90+4'
Cape Town City: D. Keet, T. Mkhize, K. Cupido, M. van Heerden, J. Rhodes, B. Ambina, T. Mokeke, D. Gonzalez, J. Zapata, T. Goedeman, K. Mayo.
Kaizer Chiefs: B. Petersen, R. Frosler, G. Msimango, T. Ditlhokwe, S. Hlanti, Y. Maart, E. Castillo, M. Mdantsane, T. Potsane, P. Mmodi, A. Du Preez.
