Kaizer Chiefs’ youngster Wandile Duba played the hero in a thrilling encounter against Stellenbosch, netting the match-winner in the 57th minute to secure a hard-fought victory. The dramatic turn of events unfolded after Stellenbosch initially took the lead through a goal by Khomotso Lekoloane. However, their advantage was short-lived, as Duba found the equalizer just eight minutes later, bringing the score to 1-1 by halftime.
In the second half, Duba struck again, showcasing his composure and talent to secure all three points for Amakhosi. Despite Stellenbosch’s efforts to fight back, Chiefs’ defense held firm, and the final whistle confirmed a crucial win for the Soweto giants.
Nedbank Cup: Kaizer Chiefs’ last shot at glory, will Nabi deliver in May?
Steve Barker Slams Kaizer Chiefs’ Tactics
Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker did not hold back in his post-match comments, criticizing Kaizer Chiefs’ behavior in the latter stages of the game. Barker accused the Chiefs’ substitutes and coaching staff of deliberately slowing the tempo after taking the lead, a move he believes disrupted Stellenbosch’s momentum.
“I don’t think Kaizer Chiefs would have been good enough to score against us had we not made our errors, which basically led to both goals,” Barker remarked.
He continued:
“After we tried to get ourselves back into the game, the last 15-20 minutes unfortunately became a lot of stop-start situations—cramps, delays, and slowing the game down. The opposition staff on the bench created the chaos they needed to see out the game.”
Barker’s frustration underscores the challenges of playing against teams that employ time-wasting or disruptive tactics in high-stakes matches.
Orlando Pirates Suffer Shock Loss to Cape Town City
Meanwhile, in another headline-grabbing result, Orlando Pirates were stunned by Cape Town City in a narrow 1-0 defeat. The shock loss left Pirates’ head coach Jose Riveiro visibly frustrated and searching for answers.
“It’s actually quite difficult to explain the final result,” Riveiro admitted post-match. “The difference between both teams was too big this time. With all respect to Cape Town City, it’s hard to understand how we lost this game.”
Riveiro highlighted his team’s dominant performance, lamenting missed opportunities, including a penalty, and what he described as an unlikely goal from their opponents.
“It’s just pure bad luck in this case. Did you see the way they scored? It’s something not normal,” he said, reflecting on the decisive goal.
Despite the setback, Riveiro maintained his focus on the future:
“We were Pirates tonight. We played the football we’re known for, but it just didn’t go our way. Now, we have to put our name onto the next one. This one is gone.”
Kaizer Chiefs set to pull the plug on R6m new signing already?
Were Kaizer Chiefs Out of Line?
Steve Barker’s criticism of Kaizer Chiefs raises valid questions about the ethics of game management. Employing time-wasting tactics, whether through intentional delays or disruptive behavior from the bench, is often viewed as part of the game’s darker arts. While it can be frustrating for the opposition, it’s not uncommon in football, especially when teams are defending narrow leads.
However, such tactics walk a fine line between strategic game management and unsportsmanlike conduct. For Chiefs, their actions could be seen as savvy and pragmatic, ensuring they secured the result. On the other hand, Barker’s frustration highlights the impact these tactics have on the game’s flow and fairness.
Ultimately, whether Chiefs were “out of line” depends on perspective. For their fans, it was a clever strategy to secure victory. For their opponents, it was an unnecessary and unsporting disruption. Either way, the debate underscores the high stakes and intensity of South African football’s competitive landscape.
Orlando Pirates chase defender with a superb goals & assists record
Orlando Pirates will sacrifice two senior stars to get their man
Orlando Pirates to welcome Khanyiso Mayo
