Chiefs cruise into TKO quarters

Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs progressed into the quarter-finals of the Telkom Knockout with a 3-0 win over Platinum Stars in a last 16 match at the Moruleng Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Dikwena had the first shot on goal in the third minute when a thunderous 30-yard free-kick from captain Vuyo Mere was brilliantly palmed around the post by the Chiefs keeper.

The next attempt on goal only came in the 21^st minute after Bernard Parker met a left-wing cross from Keegan Ritchie with an acrobatic volley, but the Amakhosi striker saw his effort well saved.

In the 30^th minute, Platinum Stars were lucky not to see attacking midfielder Masibusane Zongo sent off after he appeared to deliberately elbow Siphiwe Tshabalala in the face but was only shown a yellow card.

The Amakhosi took control of the match after that and almost took the lead in the 38^th minute when a powerful 20-yard volley from Tshabalala shaved the wrong side of the crossbar.

Chiefs did find the back of the net in the 44^th minute when Erick Mathoho headed home a left-wing free-kick from Tshabalala, 1-0.

The Amakhosi continued pressing forward at the start of the second half and almost scored their second ten minutes in when Camaldine Abraw saw his 18-yard shot brilliantly saved by the keeper.

In the 61^st minute, Abraw missed a sitter from close range after being set-up by Manqele as he fired over the target with an empty goal at his mercy.

Tshabalala nearly wrapped up matters for Chiefs in the 81^st minute when his 35-yard free kick struck the right-hand post with the keeper well beaten.

Dikwena threw numbers forward in the final ten minutes in search of an equaliser and in doing so left themselves exposed at the back.

Chiefs took full advantage of that and scored two late goals on the counter-attack courtesy of substitutes Siphelele Mthembu and George Maluleka, 3-0.