Bareng-Batho Kortjaas: Repeat after me, Kaizer Chiefs, reputation counts for nothing in a knockout competition.

Let's repeat this together and do it slowly this time: Reepppuuuuttation cooouunnttss fooorrr nooottthhiiiinngg iiinnn aaaaaa knnnoocckkoouutt ccommpeetttioonnn.

Now that we've got that out of the way, let me leave you to lick your wounds in peace. Shame, there weren't three points from a cup match for Punch Masenamela.

So much for Jimmy Tau showing the minnows who's the boss and shutting them up.

The only deafening silence the country hears is the muted sound coming out of Naturena Village as opposed to the eardrum-bursting celebrations from Baroka's Ga-Mphahlele village.

Anyway, this piece is not about how Chiefs have long lost their aura of invincibility. This offering has absolutely bugger all to do with how Amakhosi have descended to the ranks of the also-rans.

This column is about their conquerors: Baroka FC and Barney Mthombothi. Mthombothi called Baroka's last 16 elimination of Moroka Swallows a fluke. I am waiting for his description of Baroka's gutsy destruction of the once-upon-a-time-mighty Amakhosi.

It does not require a rocket scientist to realise the reason. There is quantity in abundance and quality in short supply in Amakhosi's ranks. Nathi Lions exposed this fact when they took Chiefs to extra time in the previous round.

Baroka just confirmed beyond any reasonable doubt that Chiefs have been riding on reputation for far too long. It says a lot that over the years the best Chiefs players have been goalkeepers.

A close examination of their recent exploits reveals that Chiefs have done well in the goalkeeping department from the days of Rowan Fernandez to Itumeleng Khune and returnee Arthur Bartman.

How many times have Fernandez and Khune contributed in penalty shoot-outs to lead Chiefs to cup glory? Even Bartman got in on the act with his man-of-the-match heroics in the 2010 Telkom Knockout final against Ajax Cape Town.

This season Khune has been the difference between Chiefs and certain defeat but even he could not stop the Baroka bazooka from blowing South Africa's cup kings to smithereens.

The 90th-minute goal that secured what is undoubtedly the biggest result in Baroka's history means 28-year-old coach Sello Chokoe has added another excellent entry to his curriculum vitae.

Nobody can begrudge the Gloved One, now dubbed the Jose Mourinho of Limpopo, and his men their moment in the sun.

While some may point to the number of chances Chiefs missed from point-blank range, it is poor strikers that get a poor goal return.

As an illustration of how low the stock of some Chiefs players is, Ace Khuse strolled onto the pitch in Polokwane before the Chiefs-Mpumalanga Black Aces match.

He received such a roar from fans, you would have sworn he was still a player as "Ace" reverberated around the World Cup stadium.

Some who strut their stuff in the Chiefs colours these days will never be the recipients of such adulation and admiration in five lifetimes.

For sealing a come-from-behind win against Amakhosi, the likes of Thobani Mncwango, Khunadi Nkoana, Katlego Mashego, Phalane Lantshene, Msimeli Baloyi and Avhashoni Tshinuna are the toast of the province of Limpopo.

Their signatures are being chased by Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Jomo Cosmos and Bloemfontein Celtic.

This has prompted Baroka owner Khurishi Mphahlele to issue a stern hands-off warning to the poachers, while applauding Jomo Sono for adopting the right approach in inquiring about Mashego.

Mphahlele should sell now and not wait for Chiefs to snap his boys up on free transfers.

I will repeat that. Mphahlele must sell now and not wait for Chiefs to snap his boys up on free transfers.