WATCH | Angry fans invade the pitch as Chiefs bomb out of Nedbank Cup

21 April 2018 - 22:39 By Mark Gleeson and Bareng Batho-Kortjaas
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A security guard is reportedly fighting for his life after being badly injured when Kaizer Chiefs fans rioted after the loss to Free State Stars at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday night. Chiefs coach Steve Komphela resigned in the aftermath of the violence.

Violence erupted at the end of Kaizer Chiefs' 2-0 Nedank Cup defeat against Free State Stars at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday night as Chiefs fans stormed the pitch after the final whistle, on the night that also cost Amakosi coach Steve Komphela his job.

Komphela announced he was quitting minutes after the match ended in the post-game press conference.  

The hooligans who invaded the pitch attacked security personnel with plastic chairs, damaged advdertising boards and flattened a steel barricade meant to keep supporters of the field.

Violence erupted at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban as angry Kaizer Chiefs fans stormed the pitch and attacked Premier Soccer League security personnel and destroyed after property after Steve Komphela's side bombed out of the Nedbank Cup following a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Free State Stars on Saturday April 21 2018.
Violence erupted at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban as angry Kaizer Chiefs fans stormed the pitch and attacked Premier Soccer League security personnel and destroyed after property after Steve Komphela's side bombed out of the Nedbank Cup following a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Free State Stars on Saturday April 21 2018.
Image: Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images

At the same time they have ensured there is surely no way back for the Chiefs coach as Komphela’s chance of finally delivering some silverware to Naturena after three barren seasons in charge, ended on a muggy night in Durban.

Costly defensive errors ultimately proved Chiefs’ undoing, as both Stars’ goal came from simple crosses that Tchilimbou expertly tucked away.

Chiefs had not yet touched the ball by the time Nyiko Mbbie whipped in a perfect cross from the right and Tchilimbou rose unchallenged to head home.

That he had acres of space in the heart of the Chiefs defence spoke to the defensive disorganisation that ultimately cost Komphela and his club dearly.

A South African Police Services Inyala armoured vehicle came onto the pitch and police fired several stun grenades to disperse rioting crowds.

A fire was also started in the stands.   

The supporters who had invaded the pitch apparently also tried to force their way through police and security personnel into the tunnel.

Any remote chance there might have been for Komphela to salvage his job had faded within 45 seconds of Saturday’s Nedbank semifinal as Harris Tchilimbou scored to set Free State Stars on their way to a first cup final in almost two decades.

The newly arrived import from Congo scored inside the opening minute and then added a second before half-time as Stars booked themselves a place in next month’s final in Cape Town.

 

Komphela had to make drastic changes and brought Dumisani Zuma before half-time and Leonard Castro at the break.

Moon missed a sitter straight after half-time and Castro headed wide with an even worse miss, setting the tone for the rest of the game as AmaKhosi wasted several opportunities to get themselves back into the game.

At the same time they have ensured there is surely no way back for the Chiefs coach as Komphela’s chance of finally delivering some silverware to Naturena after three barren seasons in charge, ended on a muggy night in Durban.

Costly defensive errors ultimately proved Chiefs’ undoing, as both Stars’ goal came from simple crosses that Tchilimbou expertly tucked away.

Chiefs had no yet touched the ball by the time Nyiko Mbbie whipped in a perfect cross from the right and Tchilimbou rose unchallenged to head home.

That he had acres of space in the heart of the Chiefs defence spoke to the defensive disorganization that ultimately cost Komphela and his club dear.

Chiefs might have the best defensive record in the Absa Premiership but in this cup game they looked rank amateurs at times

Mulomowandau Mathoho missed the cross for the first and when Patrick Phungwayo put in an innocuous ball in the 34th minute, it was badly missed by Daniel Cardoso and allowed Tchilimbou to finish from close range. Itumeleng Khune had no chance with either, effectively exposed by his two centrebacks.

To their credit, Chiefs did show some fight but managed to miss some incredible sitters as well as finding Stars’ goalkeeper Thela Ngobeni in stellar form.

Ryan Moon was off target with two headers early on and Joseph Molongoane had a shot stopped by the legs of Ngobeni as Chiefs made early chances for themselves that they could not finish.

Komphela had to make drastic changes and brought Dumisani Zuma before half-time and Leonard Castro at the break.

 

Moon missed a sitter straight after half-time and Castro headed wide with an even worse miss, setting the tone for the rest of the game as AmaKhosi wasted several opportunities to get themselves back into the game.

With some 15 minutes left the objects began to rain down on the Chiefs’ bench, so much so that a police car was driven onto the side of the field.

A security guard was badly beaten by pitch invaders as police retreated and he got caught by hooligans, who laid into him.

Stars last played in a cup final in 1999 when they lost to Mamelodi Sundown in the Rothmans Cup. The club also lost in the 1994 Bob Save Super Bowl to Vaal Professionals, just months after their only major trophy success when they beat Hellenic to take the Coca-Cola Cup (now known as the Telkom Knockout).

Maritzburg United host Sunday’s second semifinal against champions-elect Sundowns, who are chasing the league and cup double.

The match at the Harry Gwala Stadium kicks off at 3pm.


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