Midfielders came to the party while strikers appeared have left their radar at home as Kaizer Chiefs booked a place in the final of the Telkom Charity Cup with a 2-0 win against Black Leopards at Soccer City on Saturday.

Supporters responded to the call and arrived early despite chilly weather conditions around Johannesburg, although there were still a significant number of supporters outside the arena 15 minutes into the game. There were even reports that others had tried to force their way through the fence in the east wing.

There was no delay to the kick-off as is always the norm during massive soccer events like this and once the ball got rolling, there was no doubt about the dominant force on the field.

Following their failed mission in the Vodacom Challenge two weeks ago, Chiefs were under a certain degree of pressure not to disappoint their throng of supporters. But at some point it appeared as though they would lose the plot with the frontline unable to find target.

Veteran midfielder John “Shoes” Moshoeu was given a more attacking role along Zambian superstar Collins Mbesuma. Emmanuel Ngobese was the only new signing on the starting line-up while there was no sign of Zimbabwean Peter Ndlovu, whom the supporters had hope would be unveiled on this day.

Former Amakhosi striker Sibusiso Dlamini had promised to torment his former colleagues after he was offloaded to Leopards at the start of the new season. But he, along with Chris Netshidzive and Mulondo Sikwhivilu found the going tough.

The Chiefs backline, marshaled by Malawian Patrick Mabedi, with Cyril Nzama occasionally venturing into attack, did well to keep the Limpopo side at bay. The Chiefs defence was simply a marvel and Rowen Fernandez was hardly ever at risk of picking up the ball in the back of the net.

But the same could not be said about Leopards. Often they appeared stretched while trying to contain the likes of Junior Khnaye, Thabo Mooki and Moshoeu. And it took only 35 minutes for Chiefs to bridge the Leopards defence. Former Chiefs and Zulu Royals defender Peter Matshitse lost possession and Mbesuma fed the ball to Moshoeu who took his time as he rounded off the Leopards keeper to send Soccer City into wild celebrations.

Zimbabwean midfield general Tinashe Nengomasha sealed the matter on 80 minutes as he profited from a fine pass from second half substitute David Mathebula. The Chiefs midfielders had certainly come through for the club and it was not surprising when Moshoeu was given the man-of-the-match award at the end of the game.

Striker David Radebe had the opportunity, more than one chance, to erase bad memories of last season where he struggled to get goals but instead he earned the wrath of the supporters who wanted him off after only 18 minutes on the pitch.

The speedy Radebe missed two glorious opportunities on 70 and 78 minutes and the supporters lost their patience. First the former Free State Stars man had his attempt blocked after taking a direct shot instead of trying something creative. Then he was given a rare second chance on 78 minutes but even then he could not locate the back of the net. A woeful miss on 84 minutes rounded off a bad day in the office for the striker. But the supporters would have been more forgiving after their side had made it through to the final.

An even bigger challenge and stern test for the strikers lay was now in the final.

It was not a performance not to be ashamed of by the Limpopo side as they gave a good account of themselves and only found Chiefs simply too good to be faulted.

Teams:

Kaizer Chiefs: 1-Fernadez, 4-Nzama, 4-McCarthy (Mkhonza 73), 14-Kannemeyer, 5-Mabedi, 13-Khanye (Richards 71), 8-Nengomasha, 11-Ngobese (Mbambo), 12-Mooki (Mathebula 65), 91-Moshoeu, 9-Mbesuma (Radebe 60).

Black Leopards: 21-Khumalo (Phophi 60), 23-Ramudzuli, 24-Lechesa, 6-Nhleko (Mabosho 58), 3-Solopi, 22-Matshitse (Mashaba 49), 16-Matola, 4-Matombo, 9-Sikhwivilu (Ndlovu 49), 15-Dlamini (Ramudzuli 81), 11-Netshidzive.

Referee: Jonas Nhlapo

Yellow Cards: Ramudzuli 54.