MIHLALI BALEKA (1)(3)
Sirino 13’, Miguel 77’ (p), Mmdi 89;
CHIPPA UNITED (0)(0)
FNB STADIUM – Everybody needs their own version of Mbuyiseni Ndlozi around them. The person who brings so much light and positivity during a dark time for the party!
And Gaston Sirino proved how much influence he can have on this Kaizer Chiefs team after ensuring they kept their chances of winning a trophy alive.
Sirino and Co delivered a perfect Valentine’s Day present to the Chiefs faithful as they beat Chippa United at FNB on Saturday night to reach the Nedbank Cup last eight.
Sure, Sirino, Inacio Miguel and Pule Mmodi scored three goals, but this was a masterclass performance from Amakhosi all round.
Even the fans who are usually up in arms when they lose, remained on their seats to applaud the team after the final whistle – thanking them for a wholesome Valentine's Day present.
The Chiefs faithful probably left this stadium thinking that if this is what ‘Nasreddine Nabi ball’ has in store for the final stages of the season, then bring it on!
Chiefs, the biggest club in the land, have been longing for their own messiah who’d charm them and bring back the smiles on the faces of their supporters.
And when Sirino arrived at the club, he was regarded as ‘that man’, given how his magic feet earned him illustrious success at Mamelodi Sundowns.
He had a good start alright. But he soon flattened amid some reported disciplinary issues he had with the commander of the pack, Nabi.
But, perhaps, since accepting the reality that they need each other to make the project work, Sirino has shown flashes of his old self, preaching positivity all around.
He was a livewire against Chippa and he conducted the orchestra, allowing the fans to sing beautifully in the stands.
Sirino handed Chiefs the lead in the 13th minute as he thumped a shot into the top corner inside the box after a well delivered cutback from Player of the Match Reeve Frosler.
While that goal sent the stadium into a frenzy, stunning the fans of the oppositions who were clad in red, Sirino continued to show his humility as he worked hard.
The Uruguayan, who had just made his second contribution in as many matches after assisting the winner against Stellenbosch, took instructions from the technical team with aplomb.
The ability of Sirino to link up play, and chase for every second ball, allowed Samkelo Zwane to shine in the midfield as he made some scintillating passes.
Bruce Bvuma cam to the party too as he parried over the crossbar a thumping shot from Giovanni Philander, who had been a thorn in the flesh for Chiefs’ defence since the start of the game.
The departure of Thatayaone Ditlhokwe this week seemed to be exposed at times as Chiefs’ defence had gaps especially in the wide channels.
When Sirino was pulled off from the park after giving his power talk, he duly got a standing ovation from the Chiefs faithful in the stands.
His replacement Mduduzi Shabalala also understood the assignment when he came on. He made airwaves of passes that unmasked Chippa’s defence.
As such, it wasn’t long before he ensured that Chippa were mourning for their costly mistakes in this competition.
Lilepo cleverly whipped in a cross behind Chippa's line which goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali spilled onto the path of Mmodi.
Nwabali brought down Mmodi, losing the ball in the process but just when Shabalala was about to pull the trigger on the rebound, Nwabali pulled him down as well.
Referee Akhona Makhalima unhesitatingly pointed to the spot-kick, and Inacio Miguel calmly stood up and sent the Nigerian the wrong way.
All what has been started by Sirino was duly wrapped up by Mmodi. Substitute Ranga Chivaviro did well to hold up play and unleash a shot which Nwabali spilled on the path of Mmodi.
The Chiefs’ speedster has the easiest tap-ins as Chiefs won the game to progress to the third round of the competition, joining teams such as arch-rivals Orlando Pirates.
*And with that, all eyes falls the direction of Mamelodi Sundowns who will be hosting Mpheni Home Defenders at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe at 3pm today.