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Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs came from behind to beat an impressive Bidvest Wits outfit 2-1 at FNB Stadium on Sunday, with all goals coming in the first half in the last of their MTN8 quarter-final.
Chiefs joined Ajax Cape Town, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in the last four of the R8 million cup competition, with the draw for the two-leg semi-finals set to take place on Monday evening.
In an exciting fixture played in front of a paltry crowd at the 95 000-seater Nasrec venue, the Students drew first blood against Amakhosi, the bookies' favourites. Wits took the lead in the 11th minute with a clinical header from new signing Siboniso Gumede who had a dramatic 20 minutes in his debut match for the side.
The former AmaZulu defender caught the Chiefs defence napping from a Sifiso Myeni corner-kick, giving goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune no chance.
Gumede soon turned villain, however, as he fouled rampant Chiefs midfielder Mandla Masango in the penalty box a few minutes later.
Amakhosi striker Bernard Parker converted from the spot and Gumede limped off the field two minutes later with a suspected leg injury.
Chiefs went on to take the lead through Masango in the 41st minute.
Wits keeper Emile Baron came off his line too early after striker Lehlohonolo Majoro brilliantly chipped the ball over the Wits defence, and Masango easily lobbed the ball over the former Bafana Bafana shot stopper.
Wits were nonetheless impressive and menacing when going forward in the first half, with the speedy Myeni exposing Keegan Ritchie, in particular, for pace on the left side of defence.
Ritchie did well, however, to cut off a Sibusiso Vilakazi pass that was intended for striker Bhongolwethu Jayiya, who was waiting to pounce on the Chiefs defence in a counter-attack in the 26th minute.
Myeni then sliced through the Chiefs defence with Thomas Sweswe needing a well-timed tackle to clear the danger as striker Ryan Chapman lurked behind him.
Chiefs took control of the match after the interval as they gave less space for Wits to play.
Baron was called upon to make two stunning saves, the first using his feet to prevent Majoro from registering his elusive first goal for the club.
The second tested Baron's agility with midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala finding space to manoeuvre near the penalty box before unleashing a shot that was pelted over the cross bar.
Wits could have levelled matters in the 76th minute when Jayiya got space on the left channel, but his shot was well saved by Khune.
Timothy Batabaire also came close with a header from a Myeni set piece that went narrowly wide of goal with six minutes left to play.
