Kaizer Chiefs knocked out of MTN8 after 1-0 loss to Cape Town City

The growing crisis at Kaizer Chiefs got a lot worse on Friday night as the cup kings of South African football were bundled out of the MTN8 by new boys Cape Town City.

An early goal from Australian import Matthew Sim continued the fairytale start for the new franchise while, at the same time, adding more pressure onto to Chiefs coach Steve Kokphela, who has now won just one of his last 14 official matches in charge of the side.

Chiefs had started the season with defeat in the league at Bidvest Wits and on Friday they did not look as if they were capable of getting out of their slump, despite dominating possession.

The 1-0 win for City means John Comitis’ club have made a quick impact on the South African soccer landscape

Lewis Macha reminded supporters of the goal he had scored in last month’s Carling Black Label Cup against Orlando Pirates when he powered a header goal wards after just six minutes to earn a corner as Shu-Aib Walters made a reflex save.

But from the resultant set piece, Sim cleared and then raced the full length of the field to finish off a swift counter attack set up by Lebogang Manyama and serviced by Bongolethu Jayiya’s cross. The Australian could afford to almost lose control of the ball before recovering his composure and chipping it past Itumeleng Khune.

City kept strict discipline in keeping players behind the ball and allowed Chiefs plenty of possession but Steve Komphela’s side lacked the creativity that has so long been their hallmark as they failed to break down the home side’s disciplined approach.

AmaKhosi passed it around but were never able to make the decisive and penetrative pass. It was a slow and predictable build-up.

That meant as they pushed up, City were looking to catch them on the counter attack and almost pulled it off again on the stroke of half-time when Lorenzo Gordinho managed to get his body in the way when Lehlohonolo Majoro looked odds-on to double the score. He had been set up by a quick break by under-23 international Aubrey Mothiba flying down the left wing.

Chiefs kept knocking on the door in the second half but Walters made some good stops to be voted man of the match.

There was also poor shooting from Chiefs and the introduction of their substitutes, including Pule Eksteen and Edward Manqele, did not add much to their efforts.

The closest they came was in the 87th minute when William Thwala’s strike hit the outside of the upright.

City now wait to see the weekend results in the MTN8 to see who they meet in the second legged semifinals.