More Woes For Da Cruz As Chiefs Suffer Early CAF Exit!
Kaizer Chiefs have bowed out of the CAF Confederation Cup after losing to Red Arrows on penalties at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
CAF Confederation CupTeams: Kaizer Chiefs v Red ArrowsResult: 1-0 (1-1 aggregate)Scorers: Cross (65′)
Amakhosi coach Fernando da Cruz made the surprise decision recall Bruce Bvuma for his first start of the season in place of the injured Renaldo Leanerr, while Brandon Petersen and Lebohang Maboe returned to the bench for the first time since before the international break.
The home side dominated proceedings from the onset as they looked to overturn the first-leg loss, as the lively Thulani Mabaso looked to open the scoring after 11 minutes but his powerful effort was saved by the Arrows goalkeeper.
Arrows, meanwhile, knew a draw would be enough to get the job done in Durban, as they were happy to sit back and soak up the pressure but the Soweto giants were well equipped to deal with their opponents on the counter attack.
The frustration began to grow for the supporters at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, with the Soweto giants unable to make the right decisions in the final third as Pule Mmodi squandered a glorious headed chance at the far post while Wandile Duba was let down by his first touch when going through on goal.
It was more of the same in the second period for Chiefs, who were camped in the opposition half looking for the opening goal, which eventually saw Da Cruz make his first change just before the hour mark by throwing Mfundo Vilakazi for Faiz Abrahams.
However, Chiefs finally got their reward in the 65th minute when defender Bradley Cross rose above his marker to nod home a free-kick from Vilakazi to make it 1-1 on aggregate with 25 minutes left on the clock.
The Zambians rang the changes after falling behind as Ricky Banda and Norris Kalamba were thrown into the fray to freshen up the team with, while Da Cruz made a double change of his own by introducing Ethan Chislett and Velebayi.
Chislett’s impact was immediate as he set up a big chance for Mduduzi Shabalala, who was sent through on goal, however the latter ended up firing straight at goalkeeper, while the substitute also set up Velebayi, who blazed over the crossbar.
The missed chances ensured Arrows could take the game to a penalty shoot-out, where the Zambians managed to hold their nerve to triumph 3-2 and send the Soweto giants crashing out.
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma, Cross, Moloisane, Miguel, Frosler, Mmodi, Mthethwa, Mabaso, Shabalala, Duba, Abrahams
Subs: Petersen; Kwinika, Maboe, Velebayi, Chislet, Dortley, Vilakazi, Ighodaro, Nkgwesa
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