Maritzburg United Bring Kaizer Chiefs Back To Earth In Telkom Knockout
Maritzburg United beat high-flying Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in the Telkom Knockout Cup semi-final on Sunday afternoon at Mbombela Stadium. Striker Judas Moseamedi scored a brace as Maritzburg United claimed a deserved victory.
The victory by The Team of Choice sets up a final meeting with Mamelodi Sundowns at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on December 14‚ and ensures Chiefs’ trophyless run will extend to a club record five years.
There was so much talk that Chiefs who were on a 9 game unbeaten run in the league and in this competition but they hit a Maritzburg brickwall under the tutelage of Eric Tinkler who are doing their own business quietly and also set up their own record of 8 matches unbeaten with yesterday’s victory.
Chiefs with defender Eric Matoho and defensive midfielder Willard Katsande suspended and missing from the action were always vulnerable going forward and offensively were poor as they lacked the cutting edge of their talismanic Zimbabwean forward Khama Billiat.
Amakhosi were totally outplayed in every department and had Maritzburg utilised all the chances that came their way, they would have been victors by a greater margin and we could have witnessed a huge Chiefs embarassment at Mbombela though they were still humbled by a determined side.
Eric Tinkler claimed one over former Maritzburg United coach Ernst Middendorp who during his tenure at Pietermaritzburg club helped to set solid youth structures.
Tinkler in a post-match interview could not hide his elation as he now braces for the Sundowns final test seeking to claim silverware with the club.
“We performed extremely well. We were exceptional on the transition. We had clear cut chances. I am very happy. This team has come a long way. We have an amazing opportunity now in the final.” said Tinkler.
By Gerald Dandah
