Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on Jan 26, 2025.
Kaizer Chiefs (2) 4
(Mmodi 18’,26’, Miguel 62’, Chivaviro 83’)
Free Agents FC (0) 0
Nedbank Cup, First Round
FNB stadium, Nasrec
Kaizer Chiefs comfortably navigated their path into the last 16 of the 2025 Nedbank Cup on Sunday with an emphatic 4-0 first round victory over ABC Motsepe League opponents, Free Agents FC at the FNB Stadium on Sunday.
A first half brace from Pule Mmodi set the tone for a dominant display, which was embellished with further goals from Inacio Miguel and Ranga Chivaviro in the second period, during which Agents were reduced to 10 men after Saheed Adebayo was sent off for dissent.
The gulf in class was evident from the opening whistle as Chiefs immediately went on the attack and had the third-tier side scrambling to repel the Gold & Black onslaught.
Nkosingiphile Ngcobo almost broke the deadlock with barely four minutes on the clock when his first-time shot from the edge of the box cannoned off the upright with Free Agents ‘keeper, Ugonna Igidimba beaten. Reeve Frosler also brought the Nigerian goalkeeper into action in the 6th minute, cutting inside from the right and hitting a ferocious shot that Igidimba managed to block.
It was Pule Mmodi, though, who would put Amakhosi ahead, latching onto a long ball by goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma that evaded the visitors’ high defensive line and running through to beat Igidimba with a neat finish.
The tricky winger added his, and Chiefs’ second seven minutes later after academy graduates, Mfundo Vilakazi and Wandile Duba combined to slice open the Free Agents defence before Duba unselfishly set up Mmodi, who wrong-footed the ‘keeper and tucked the ball home.
Mmodi spurned a glorious opportunity to register a first-half hattrick when he was set free again by a ball over the top. This time he chose to lay the ball square to Happy Mashiane, allowing the covering defence to block what should certainly have been a third for Chiefs.
Bvuma needed to be alert in the 33rd minute when Free Agents’ only meaningful attack almost brought reward. Nigerian forward Saheed Adebayo broke down the left and played a dangerous ball across the box for the onrushing Sello Hlabitwa, who thought he had scored until Bvuma bravely spread himself to smother the close range effort.
On a more concerning note, Duba went down with what looked like a nasty injury and needed to be replaced by Ranga Chivaviro just before halftime, which was called a few minutes later with the score at 2-0.
Amakhsoi took a while to get into their stride after the break so much were they in control of proceedings with Free Agents expending commendable effort if no actual threat of which to speak.
Vilakazi brought out a full stretch fingertip save from Agents’ substitute goalkeeper Tsebo Shabalala on the hour mark with a wicked curling free kick that was heading for the top corner before the intervention. The resultant corner was taken short and worked back to Mashiane whose chipped ball into the box was headed into the net by Miguel to give Chiefs a 3-0 lead. There was a suspicion of offside about his positioning when the ball was played in but the goal was allowed to stand. In the ensuing protests from Free Agents, Adebayo was shown a straight red card by referee Msimeleli Mabuto, apparently for excessive dissent.
Amakhosi were not finished yet and in the 83rd minute, Chivaviro placed the cherry on top of a sweet victory with a fourth goal for the supporters to savour. George Matlou won possession high up the pitch and immedialtely found the big striker in space on the edge of the box and he calmly slid the ball past the advancing Shabalala into the gaping goal.
Although the opposition came from a lower league, the efficiency and control Amakhosi showed in getting the job done bodes well for their confidence going into Soweto Derby and the fans, too, will be feeling positive about coming out on top next weekend.
Post match facts:
Kaizer Chiefs have progressed to the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 for a 23rd time since 1996-97.
Since 1996-97, Kaizer Chiefs’ record in the Round of 32 reads P28 W23 L5.
Chiefs have not conceded a goal in their last three Nedbank Cup Round of 32 games.
Chiefs recorded their biggest win in the Round of 32 since another 4-0 win over Edu Sports, at home, in 2014-15.
Bruce Bvuma made an assist for Pule Mmodi's first goal. It is the first time the Chiefs ‘keeper has laid on an assist.
Chiefs had 70% of the possession in this game.
Line-ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma (44), Miguel (84), Ditlhokwe (24), Mashiane (19) (Cross (48) 87’), Frosler (39), Maart © (8) (Mthethwa (5) 46’), Vilakazi (28), Ngcobo (12) (Sirino (10) 46’), Matlou (22), Mmodi (13) (Potsane (11) 71’), Duba (36) (Chivaviro (7) 45’)
Subs not used: Petersen (1), Dortley (14), Blom (6), Zwane (37)
Acting Coach: Khalid Ben Yousseff (Nasreddine Nabi suspended)
Free Agents FC: Igidimba (16) (Shabalala (99) 46’); Mokate (25), Moloi (24) (Simelane (27) 46’), Sithole (20), Dhladhla © (14), Sello (65), Adebayo (8), Motlhoiwa (74) (Mphumela (45) 46’), Mosweu (21) (Sebopa (3) 46’), Hlabitwa (5) (Mokgoshi (40) 80’), Ndlovu (6)
Subs not used: Moleme (7), Mokotedi (11), Kekana (15), Molefe (28)
Coach: Olaitan Oladeru
