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Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela says his players were willing to die on the pitch after advancing to the Telkom Knockout final on Saturday.
Chiefs edged perennial foes Orlando Pirates 6-5 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes in the semi-final at the FNB Stadium.
Komphela had been under pressure to avenge the humiliating 3-1 loss suffered at the hands of Pirates last week in the league.
A relieved Komphela stressed the importance of his team having to show character against the old enemy.
"It was nail-biting and nerve-wracking," Komphela said after the encounter.
"We had to go through 120 minutes and I must to congratulate Pirates for a great game.
"We tried to nullify some of the things we suffered in the first derby and also had to exert ourselves.
"All we said to the players is that even if it means dying on the field - we need to die here.
"We wanted it more and we have a responsibility to please our fans. They deserve better. We surfed a serious setback in our previous match.
"We rectified those mistakes and managed to stop those leaks (in defence)."
