Kaizer Chiefs management have plenty to ponder during the upcoming international break after they crashed out of the Carling Knockout Cup in embarrassing fashion on Saturday.
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On a night when everything that could go wrong went wrong, a 10-man Kaizer Chiefs side were humbled 4-0 by Mamelodi Sundowns in their highly-anticipated quarterfinal at the FNB Stadium.
Two goals from Iqraam Rayners, one a penalty, and another from Peter Shalulile had the Brazilians three goals to the good at half-time.
Kaizer Chiefs skipper, Inacio Miguel saw red early in the second half before Khuliso Mudau completed the scoring to wrap up an emphatic victory.
There was little positive to take from the first half, as Amakhosi came under pressure from the get-go.
Pointed to the penalty spot
Mamelodi Sundowns had the upper hand and could have taken the lead before the deadlock was broken after 13 minutes when a mistake from Samkelo Zwane allowed Ribeiro to break into the box.
He was brought down by Njabulo Blom and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.
Rayners duly despatched the kick to put Masandawana ahead.
The visitors doubled their lead nine minutes later when Rayners bagged his second, finishing smartly from a right wing cross by Khuliso Mudau.
The Brazilians’ third goal came in similar fashion, only down the left flank this time.
Aubrey Modiba took advantage of Reeve Frosler’s absence from the field following medical attention to fire in a cross that was tucked away by Shalulile in the 40th minute.
Mamelodi Sundowns had further opportunities to add to their tally, but had to be content with a 3-0 lead at the break.
The situation did not improve in the second period for the Glamour Boys and, with 10 minutes of the restart, they were reduced to 10 men when Miguel, only just back from suspension, received a second yellow card for a foul on Modiba, having already been booked in the first half.
Coach Nasreddine Nabi sacrificed the creativity of Gaston Sirino to send on Thatayaone Ditlhokwe to shore up the defence, but it didn’t help and on the hour mark, Mudau latched on to Ribeiro’s defence-splitting pass to prod the ball past Fiacre Ntwari to make it 4-0.
Mamelodi Sundowns cruised through the remaining half-hour as the Amakhosi players gamely tried to salvage some pride in front of their fans still willing their team on, even in adversity.
However, apart from a couple of half chances that fell to Ditlhokwe and Chivaviro, there was nothing else to speak of.
This setback leaves coach Nabi and his technical staff with much to work on before the team resumes action later this month after the FIFA international break.
Next match
Kaizer Chiefs will next be in Betway Premiership action on Wednesday, 27 November when they host Richards Bay at 19:30.
Amakhosi are currently in eighth place in the standings with seven points after five matches.
They trail bitter cross-town rivals Orlando Pirates by a full 11 points, but have played one fewer match.
Kaizer Chiefs’ eighth goals to date is the third-highest in the league, but their seven conceded goals ranks them joint-fourth worst.
