CARLING KNOCKOUT CHAOS Chiefs Nearly Suffer Humiliation In Polokwane Before Late 84th-Minute Miracle

CHAOS IN POLOKWANE! SIWELELE FC SHOCK KAIZER CHIEFS BEFORE WANDILE DUBA RESCUES AMAKHOSI IN CARLING KNOCKOUT THRILLER

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — 8 NOVEMBER 2026

Kaizer Chiefs and Siwelele FC went into the half-time break level at 1-1 in their Carling Knockout quarter-final encounter at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday evening.

The opening 45 minutes delivered plenty of drama, with both teams showing determination as they battled for a place in the semi-finals of the competition.

Chiefs entered the encounter hoping to secure a positive result under head coach Fernando Da Cruz after their disappointing Soweto Derby defeat against Orlando Pirates.

However, Siwelele proved that they were not prepared to make things easy for the Soweto giants.

The visitors started brightly and were rewarded for their attacking approach in the 11th minute when Siyabonga Ndebele opened the scoring with a powerful header following a corner.

The goal immediately placed pressure on Amakhosi, who needed to respond quickly to avoid entering the break behind.

Chiefs gradually increased their attacking intensity, with players such as Mfundo Vilakazi, Pule Mmodi and Wandile Duba looking to create opportunities.

Their persistence eventually earned them a penalty in the 36th minute after Vilakazi was fouled inside the penalty area.

Unfortunately for the home side, Mduduzi Shabalala failed to capitalise on the opportunity, sending his penalty over the crossbar.

It was a frustrating moment for Chiefs supporters, who were hoping to see their team restore parity.

However, Amakhosi received another opportunity in first-half stoppage time.

Shabalala was brought down inside the penalty area by Ndebele, resulting in another penalty for the Soweto giants.

This time, Wandile Duba accepted responsibility and calmly converted from the spot in the 45th minute plus two.

The equaliser changed the atmosphere heading into the interval, with Chiefs finding a way back into the contest after facing an uncomfortable first half.

Both teams therefore went into the dressing rooms with the score at 1-1.

For Da Cruz, the break presented an opportunity to reorganise his team and identify areas requiring improvement.

Siwelele, meanwhile, had every reason to remain confident after giving their opponents a difficult challenge.

The second half promised another intense battle, with a semi-final place at stake.

UPDATE: Chiefs eventually secured a 2-1 victory through substitute Asanele Velebayi’s 84th-minute winner, booking their place in the Carling Knockout semi-finals.

Source https://x.com/Soccer_Laduma/status/2119472680390782999

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