Cape Town Forget about Suidooster or Muvhango; South African football has more dramatic tension than any soap opera.
And the star of the program is Itumeleng Khune.
In the 4-3 shootout win against Stellenbosch FC to advance Amakhosi to the MTN8 semi-finals on Sunday, the veteran Kaizer Chiefs goalie, who was called up for his first game of the season, saved two penalties.
Sihle Nduli and Ashley Du Preez scored goals in the second half to tie the game at 1-1 after extra time.
Deano van Rooyen and backup William Likuta of Stellenbosch were the unlucky players whose penalties were saved.
Everyone crowded into the Danie Craven Stadium was yelling for more after the thrilling display that had previously been created by the 120 minutes of football.
It included excellent football, goals, emotion, excitement, drama, and controversy, to name a few things.
The only drawback, a severe one at that, was the behavior of Chiefs supporters, which originally led to a 30-minute delay in start. After Du Preez scored against his previous side, they forced the game to be interrupted halfway through the second half when a segment of the crowd behind Khune came onto the field.
The Chiefs had a spirited start to the game, which was played on the field at a frantic speed. Nevertheless, when Van Rooyen played the ball in behind their defense, they came dangerously close to being caught on the counterattack. Unfortunately for the home squad, Junior Mendieta’s left-footed attempt was wide and he was unable to take advantage.
A Nduli header smashed into Khune’s left post as a youthful Stellenbosch squad, unfazed by the sea of gold and black in the fans, surged in confidence and created another squandered chance.
The intensity of the game increased unquestionably in the crucible-like setting, and Du Preez almost sent the Chiefs supporters into raptures when he promptly answered with a close-range snap shot that went over the crossbar.
When the teams switched sides at the half, neither had managed to break the tie. However, things immediately turned around when Stellenbosch’s Nduli scored shortly after the break.
After falling down thanks to Nduli’s goal, Chiefs ignited, exploding into action and swarming all over Stellenbosch in pursuit of the equalizer.
It promptly came, and if the day’s drama wasn’t enough, it landed at Du Preez’s feet to tie the score from within the box.
From that point on, Chiefs threw everything they had at Stellenbosch in pursuit of the game-winning goal, but they discovered recalled veteran goalie Lee Langeveldt to be in superb form. However, the Chiefs were lucky to force extra time as referee Kelly Chavani called a foul on the final play of regulation.
Then, Chavani changed his mind, much to everyone’s amusement and the ire of the Stellenbosch players and management.
Khune, the seasoned goalkeeper, sent the Chiefs supporters into heaven and onto the field after making two saves in the penalty shootout, so maybe it was written in the footballing stars that he should be the hero on this particular day.