Bradley Grobler was the hero once more as SuperSport United knocked Kaizer Chiefs out of the MTN8 on Saturday night.
In-form striker Grobler, who scored both goals in the first leg of the semi-final, netted again at the FNB Stadium to hand SuperSport a 1-0 victory on the night and a 3-2 triumph on aggregate.
Matsatsantsa a Pitori will now defend their title in the final on September 29 against either Cape Town City or Mamelodi Sundowns.
City travelled to Pretoria and will take on Masandawana on Sunday at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville (3pm kickoff) with a 1-0 advantage from the first leg.
In a cagey affair on Saturday, Chiefs were unable to hold on for a 0-0 or 1-1 draw, which would’ve been enough to send them through to the final on the away-goals rule following the 2-2 first leg stalemate.
Amakhosi coach Giovanni Solinas made a few interesting changes to his team, and it looked like he was setting up a strong defence to keep Grobler and Evans Rusike at bay.
Apart from Itumeleng Khune returning from injury, there were two new defenders in Teenage Hadebe and Ugandan signing Godfrey Walusimbi, while Willard Katsande played in a deep role.
But that ploy didn’t seem to work, as it was SuperSport who had the first real chance. Defender Clayton Daniels jumped high to head a free kick towards goal, and he hit the right-hand upright in the 15th minute.
After being deadlocked at halftime, SuperSport got the opening in the 58th minute when Grobler finished with aplomb from Reneilwe Letsholonyane’s pass, with Khune getting a glove to the ball, but unable to keep it out of the net.
That forced Chiefs to come out of their proverbial shell a bit more, and a goalmouth scramble in the 63rd minute nearly brought them an equaliser.
The ball fell into the path of right back Ramahlwe Mphahlele, but his powerful striker was brilliantly blocked by SuperSport goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
There were further close shaves for Dumsani Zuma and Siphelele Ntshangase, but the Amakhosi couldn’t find the back of the net.
The result means that the trophy drought continues for Chiefs, but SuperSport coach Kaitano Tembo will be delighted to have a chance to retain the title in the final.
Shout to Clayton Daniels for winning the man of the match award!!! 🔥🔥 #ForeverUnited #MTN8 pic.twitter.com/fOgdjHxUwD
— SuperSport United FC (@SuperSportFC) September 1, 2018
@ashfakmohamed