Taariq Fielies scored a late goal to hand Amazulu a 1-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs in the Carling Knockout quarterfinal clash played at the FNB Stadium.
Amakhosi had much play for the majority of the match but were caught out by a sucker punch when Fielies produced a neat finish with two minutes of normal time remaining. It is a return to winning ways for Usuthu coach Pablo Franco Martin after going into the international break with a 2-1 loss to Swallows. It is yet another trophy that will elude Chiefs as the long wait for silverware continues for the Soweto giants and their millions of supporters.
Amakhosi certainly threw everything in attack in the second half as he sent on Pule Mmodi, Edson Castillo, and Jasond Gonzalez from the substitutes’ bench. They lacked the necessary cutting edge in front of goal though with Amazulu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa having a decent game. Usuthu weathered the storm for most of the contest and then took their chance close to the end when Fielies popped up and sent his team into the next round.
Meanwhile, Stellenbosch advanced with a 2-1 victory over Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in the round of 16. Second-half goals by Andre de Jong and Kgaogelo Sekgota secured the win for Steve Barker’s team.