Vilakazi reveals calm message behind Chiefs’ Carling Knockout comeback

Kaizer Chiefs winger Mfundo Vilakazi says Fernando Da Cruz urged the team to remain patient and composed as they fought back to beat Siwelele FC 2-1 in their Carling Knockout quarter-final.

Chiefs fell behind at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday when Siyabonga Ndebele put the visitors ahead in the 12th minute.

The Soweto club responded before the interval, with Wandile Duba converting a penalty in first-half stoppage time to send the teams into the break level at 1-1.

Their comeback was completed six minutes from time. Substitute Asanele Velebayi received a pass from Flavio Da Silva in the 84th minute and scored the winning goal, securing Chiefs’ place in the semi-finals.

Vilakazi, who played an important role in the contest, said Da Cruz used the interval to settle his players and remind them to trust their approach.

“At half-time, the coach told us that we were playing well,” said Vilakazi, the left-footed player affectionately known as ‘Paper 2’.

“He told us to calm down when we get to the opponents’ box. The score was 1-1, and he told us to be patient, to play as if it’s still 0-0 and the [winning] goal would come by itself.”

The victory took Chiefs into the last four after a difficult match, a result Vilakazi said was particularly important for the club’s supporters.

“I’m happy that we were able to secure a spot in the semi-finals,” he said.

“It was not an easy game, but we managed to go to the semi-finals; I’m happy.

“The fans are always with us, what we have to do is continue to make sure that we keep them happy. We won’t always be crying. There will be ups and downs, we are asking them to never give up on us.

“We will try by all means to keep them happy, and I think today we made them happy by progressing to the semi-finals.”

Chiefs will now face a major test in the next round after being drawn away against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The semi-final draw was conducted by the Premier Soccer League after the quarter-final matches had been completed.

In the other tie, defending champions Orlando Pirates will travel to play Stellenbosch FC. Both semi-finals are scheduled to take place on the weekend of 21-22 November.