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Port Elizabeth - Kaizer Chiefs advanced to the Nedbank Cup semi-finals after defeating Baroka FC 1-0 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday night.
Eric Mathoho broke the deadlock for the hosts in the 36th minute with a header from Siphiwe Tshabalala's corner after a period of sustained pressure.
Baroka started brightly with Robin Ngalande firing an early shot at Itumeleng Khune.
Chiefs though were soon into their passing rhythm and Ryan Moon forced Ayanda Dlamini to deal with his goal-bound header.
Both sides were eager to assert themselves and while there was good end-to-end action, a number of loose passes in the final third curtailed the number of clear-cut chances.
Gift Motupa attempted a lobe over Khune but floated his effort over the target, while Ramahlwe Mphahlele saw Dlamini stand firm as he looked to fire in on target following a mistake in the Chiefs defence.
Moon curled the next opportunity against the post as Hendrick Ekstein saw his rebound well saved, but Amakhosi were finally ahead when Mathoho headed home Tshabalala's excellent corner.
Moon should have added to the lead from the penalty spot after Leonard Castro was upended by Abdi Banda but he fired his spot-kick over the crossbar.
A determined Baroka emerged after the break although Richard Matloga could only fire against the post in the best of a number of half-chances for the visitors.
Khune was tested by Ngalande, while he also denied an effort from Mduduzi Mdantsane as Matloga failed to connect to a Talent Chawapiwa cross late on.
Despite the pressure, Chiefs held on for the narrow win and a place in the semi-finals.
