Kaizer Chiefs set up Carling Knockout semi-final against Mamelodi Sundowns

Kaizer Chiefs came from behind to beat Siwelele 2-1 and secure a place in the Carling Knockout semi-finals after a hard-fought quarter-final at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday.

They will now travel to Mamelodi Sundowns for a place in the final, while the defending champions will visit Stellenbosch FC in the other semi-final.

Both sides created early opportunities, with Siwelele goalkeeper Jody February and Chiefs’ Brandon Petersen making important saves inside the opening five minutes.

February prevented Mduduzi Shabalala from scoring in the second minute, saving the first chance of the match. Petersen responded moments later by keeping out Sphesihle Jeza’s effort.

The Chiefs goalkeeper was called into action again in the ninth minute, using his trailing leg to deny Vincent Pule and turn the attempt behind for a corner.

Siwelele took advantage of the resulting set piece two minutes later. Manelisi Mazibuko delivered the corner accurately and Siyabonga Ndebele rose highest to head the ball into the net, giving the home side a 1-0 lead.

Chiefs were awarded their first penalty in the 36th minute after Pule clipped Mfundo Vilakazi inside the area. Shabalala took responsibility but sent his spot-kick over the crossbar.

Wandile Duba then missed an opportunity from a tight angle moments later as Chiefs failed to capitalise on the penalty.

The visitors were given another chance from 12 yards just before half-time, when referee Masixole Bambiso ruled that Ndebele had fouled Shabalala in the penalty area.

Duba made no mistake with the second penalty, sending February the wrong way to level the score. He was later replaced by Flavio Silva in the 75th minute.

Siwelele made three substitutions at the interval, taking off Ndebele, Matthew Marou and Relebogile Mokhuoane for Njabulo Ngcobo, Cristian Saile and Shadrack Kobedi.

The quality of the game dropped after the break, with both teams struggling to keep possession and build sustained passing moves.

Chiefs eventually found the decisive moment in the 84th minute. Asanele Velebayi, who had come on for Shabalala, rolled the ball through February’s legs from a tight angle to complete the comeback.

The goal came only nine minutes after Velebayi entered the match and was his first since joining Chiefs in August last year. Silva provided the assist.