Posted in News on Jul 11, 2004.
As was the case last year, both sides ended the match tied 0-0 and moved straight to penalties to decide the winner. Again Chiefs emerged victorious with a 9-8 win.
For once it appeared as if the shoot-out would go on forever. The first five kicks could not produce a winner, with both side scoring four and missing one. Then it was sudden death.
When Mbaya hoofed the third kick above goal, keeper Rowen Fernandez stepped up to test his shooting skills but he too could not end the suspense. His effort was well saved by the TP Mazembe keeper and the drama continued.
However, it was not long when the Mazembe keeper fired the eighth kick above goal and veteran midfielder Thabo Mooki seized the moment to fire the Glamour Boys into the final.
A number of missed chances and a fair share of rough tackles characterised the first half, as both teams went into the break tied 0-0.
Expectations were high, as the two teams were facing off for the second time in the history of the competition. Chiefs won the first duel 3-2 on penalty shoot-outs last year after the match ended 0-0.
It was a stage for the new Amakhosi recruits to shine and perhaps give supporters a glimpse of what to expect next season. Emmanuel “Scara” Ngobese was on the starting line-up and was overshadowed by the tough tackling Mazembe players. The former Zulu Royals star did not finish the match as he was replaced by Patrick Mayo on 88 minutes. Simphiwe Mbambo came on at the start of the second half in place of David Radebe and he too found it difficult against Mazembe defence.
Junior Khanye was the most tackled player on the day as the visitors tried every trick to silence the tricky midfield ace. The tackles, most of them illegal, almost got to Khanye, who once lashed out after another robust tackle and was lucky to escape punishment. The Amakhosi technical staff came to his rescue when they pulled him off in favour of veteran Thabo Mooki on 73 minutes.
The dying minutes were more tantalising. First the three-time African champions Mazembe thought they had got the all-important goal on 82 minutes but the player was clearly off-side, much to the relief of the defending champions.
Then Bevan Fransman came just close with a low header after a well-taken corner. There was more drama immediately after that, as the TP Mazembe coach was ordered off the dug-out, probably for something he said to the officials. However, Mazembe were not bothered by events taking place off the field as they soldiered on and were almost rewarded for their persistent attacking with Bongeli Lofo’s effort, amid a cluster of defenders, going just wide.
Mazembe had a promising start with defender Cyril Nzama giving away a free-kick just on the edge of the box towards the left with a tackle on Ngoy on 10 minutes. It was a dangerous place to concede a free-kick but DRC international Kaluluka blasted his short way above goal. Two minutes later strier David Radebe missed an opportunity, as he failed to connect to a ball headed down by Derrick Spencer following a well-worked corner by Khanye.
Chiefs were just unlucky not to take the lead on 16 minutes. Player of the Season Tinashe Nengomasha found the space and time coming from the right. The Zimbabwean unleashed a left-footed rocket that only crushed against the woodwork. The Mazembe keeper was clearly beaten and it would have been a contender for the goal of the tournament.
Chiefs escaped punishment on 35 minutes when Lofo unleashed a cracking shot but Fernandez was alert. Six minutes before the break, Khanye mesmerised the DRC defence before laying the ball to an unmarked Radebe but the Mazembe keeper was quick to come off his line to save.
Khanye had a great opportunity on 50 minutes but the Mazembe keeper Mwamba did well to throw his body on the line to save it. The goalkeeper got injured in the process and had to receive medical attention for some time.
It was a good test for Amakhosi, who should turn out much wiser in the final against AS Vita, who beat Orlando Pirates 4-3 on penalties in the other semifinal.
Penalties:
Chiefs: Mabedi, McCarthy, Moshoeu, Mbambo (saved), Mayo, Fransman, Sibeko, Fernandez (saved), Nzama, Nengomasha, Mooki.
Mazembe: Mbiga, Lofo, Lita, Kasongo, Ngoy (saved), Tresor, Kasususla, Mbaya (above goal), Landu, Mihayo, Maumba (above goal).
Teams:
Kaizer Chiefs: Fernandez, Mabedi, McCarthy, Fransman, Nzama, Spencer (Sibeko 73), Nengomasha, Khanye (Mooki 73), Moshoeu, Ngobese (Mayo 88), Radebe (Radebe 46).
TP Mazembe: Muamba, Tshizeu, Kasusula, Lita, Landu, Mihayo, Kalulika, (Kasongo Ngomilu 58), Ngoy, Yemweni, (Mabika 70), M'vete (Tresor 76), Lofo.
