Kaizer Chiefs gave their chairman a fitting birthday present when they beat SuperSport United 4-0 in their Carling Knockout Cup match at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday night.
Kaizer Motaung celebrated his 80th birthday this week and was treated to a special performance from Amakhosi, who were at their ruthless best in front of goal in the Limpopo capital against a SuperSport team that finished the match with 10 men on the park.
Chiefs joined Mamelodi Sundowns, Stellenbosch FC, Marumo Gallants, Cape Town City FC and Magesi FC in the quarter-finals of the tournament. Magesi had earlier on Saturday caused a massive upset when they downed Orlando Pirates 3-2 at Orlando Stadium.
A lot of people viewed this match as the pick of the fixtures, but SuperSport didn’t really take the chances they created after a bright start to the match. They competed well in midfield and forced Chiefs into giving the ball away, but lacked that killer instinct.
Instead, Chiefs showed that they can be ruthless in front of goal.
Playmaker Gaston Sirino, who has been punted for Bafana Bafana following Themba Zwane’s long-term injury, opened the scoring with a top effort from outside the SuperSport penalty area.
Sirino rounded off a great team move, which was started from the back, as slick passing saw the Chiefs No.10 find space on the right, before cutting inside to shoot with his left foot after the half-hour mark.
Chiefs doubled their lead in the 53rd minute of the match when captain Yusuf Maart headed the ball home from a set-piece, before Ranga Chivaviro made it 3-0 20 minutes later to basically seal the deal.
SuperSport played the final 11 minutes of regulation time with 10 men after midfielder Gape Moralo was shown a second yellow card in the 79th minute.
Substitute Ashley du Preez then put the cherry on the birthday cake when he made it 4-0 in stoppage time.
Meanwhile, Cape Town City FC also produced a fine performance when they hammered the hapless Royal AM 3-0 at the Athlone Stadium.
