Johannesburg – The Glamour Boys burst into spontaneous joyous celebrations seconds after Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala blew his whistle for full time.
That signalled the end of a journey as courageous Kaizer Chiefs re-wrote the club’s history books by earning a berth in the CAF Champions League final for the first time in the club’s 51-year-old history.
Victors Chiefs have earned a hard fought goalless draw and a 1-0 aggregate win over Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco in the semi-finals, second leg clash at FNB Stadium on Saturday night.
The second leg draw was enough for Amakhosi to look forward to a meeting Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the final of Africa’s premier club competition following a 1-0 stinging of 2017 champions Wydad in Casablanca last weekend.
The resilient Amakhosi were inspired by the solitary winning goal by gangling Serbian striker Samir Nurkovic, the hero of the first leg, first half goal against the Red Castle away, not forgetting keeper Bruce Bvuma heroics in goals. But Bvuma was forced to miss the home leg because of an injury and Nigerian international Daniel Akpeyi started between the sticks.
The Amakhosi No 2 shotstopper did not disappoint. Akpeyi complementing his defenders, led by the towering Erick Mathoho, who was forced to put in an extra shift as Wydad attackers threw everything at them in search of a second leg equaliser.
Now for the big one, the Soweto giants are scheduled to meet reigning African champions Al Ahly, coached by South African tactician Pitso Mosimane in the final billed for to the Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca in Morocco on July 17.
The return to Morocco for the second time is bound to bring back memories of the tough two-legged semifinal for Amakhosi, a side that is trophyless over the last six seasons.
Said finalists’ coach Arthur Zwane after the match: “We knew it was going to be tough because we’re competing against the best on the continent, it was never going to be an easy journey for us. “Going back to the game, we knew their strength from day one, I think they will regret the day they decided to send their B-team. I think it’s more of learning [phase] especially for us that when you’re on the road, you don’t take anyone for granted.
“We’re obviously going to be underdogs competing against them and they paid the price. Fortunately for them, they took us for granted that time and we gave them something to think about and surprise them.
“They’re a very good team there’s no doubt about it, solid team, good in defence, also very good going forward, but they also have their weaknesses like any other team whatever formation they put up there, we were still going to capitalise because we are always underdogs.”
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa. To Subscribe to Sunday World, click here.
Sunday World
