Kaizer Chiefs booked a spot in the semi finals of the prestigious CAF Champions League competition despite their 3-0 defeat to Simba SC at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Tanzania on Saturday, May 22.
Kaizer Chiefs won the match 4-3 on aggregate after surviving an over 100-minute relentless scare from the home side which was backed by 10,000 vociferous fans at the stadium.
Simba looked on course to reverse the 4-0 first leg deficit with their skipper John Bocco’s netting two goals in the duel. But the Chiefs survived Simba’s dominance despite conceding Clatous Chama’s goal four minutes before time.
Chiefs survived as many tense moments in Saturday’s match and should thank their young goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma for a one-on-one save he pulled facing Bocco, a minute after the attacker had given Simba an early lead.
The Amakhosi, who have never had a chance to go this far in this competition when they started with an unconvincing Eric Mathoho’s solitary goal win against PWD Bamenda of Cameroon in the preliminary round back in November 2020 - will now face Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic after they eliminated MC Alger of Algeria in their quarterfinal fixture.
Chiefs will, however, be looking forward to redeeming themselves against Wydad after they were walloped 4 -1 on aggregate in their last meeting that saw them finish second place behind the Moroccans.
Al Ahly's 3-1 aggregate quarter-final win over Mamelodi Sundowns made it a triumphant return to South Africa for Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane against his former club.
Esperance, who lost the first leg of their quarter-final 2-0 away to Algeria's Chabab Belouizdad, produced a memorable fightback on Saturday ,May 22, to win 3-2 on penalties.