Kaizer Chiefs managed to escape a late scare from Simba SC in their CAF Champions League quarterfinal second leg after suffering a 3-0 defeat as they reached their maiden semi-final on Saturday afternoon.
Leonardo Castro replaced the injured Dumisani Zuma as the only change for Amakhosi while shot-stopper Itumeleng Khune was not included in the match day squad despite being part of the travelling squad.
Chiefs had to defend in numbers early on, but they had a big chance against the run of play in the 12th minute from a corner, with Castro sending his glanced header wide.
However, Gavin Hunt’s men fell behind in the 24th minute after the home side launched a counter-attack, as John Bocco fired home from range having received a pass from Clatous Chama’s.
The Reds of Msimbazi sought to enter top gear afterwards as they searched for the game’s second goal. Bocco and Chama almost ensured they did that but their strikes were brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma.
Ten minutes from the break Chiefs should have grabbed a goal back when Siyabonga Ngezana was left behind at the back post but his effort was well stopped by goalkeeper Aishi Manula before Bvuma denied Bocco once at the other end.
Chiefs continued to defend in numbers after the break and the hosts duly punished them as Bocco made it 2-0 just 11 minutes into the second half after a cross was deflected away from Bvuma’s reach only for him to finish expertly.
In a bid to restore sanity in key areas, Hunt made two double defensive changes four minutes later, Willard Katsande and Anthony Akumu replaced Samir Nurkovic and Lebogang Manyama respectively.
In a half they failed to muster any sort of attack, Njabulo Blom had a rare chance on the counter-attack for Amakhosi in the 67th minute after going through on goal but his lob went over the bar. The young lad pulled his hamstring afterwards and was immediately replaced by Kearyn Baccus.
Didier Gomes’ men upped the ante in the final quarter and Bocco almost grabbed his side’s third goal but his cracking effort from range came off the crossbar.
The impressive Chama eventually made it 3-0 for Simba in the final four minutes to set up a nervy finish to the game, but the Glamour boys held on to reach their first semifinal with a 4-3 aggregate win over the Tanzanian champions.