Kaizer Chiefs’ early exit from the Carling Knockout has left midfielder Sibongiseni Mthethwa with mixed emotions pride in his personal recognition, but disappointment over the team’s result.
Kaizer Chiefs Crash Out in Penalty Drama
Amakhosi bowed out in the first round of the Carling Knockout after a tense 0-0 draw and a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to Stellenbosch FC at the DHL Stadium. The encounter remained goalless after 120 minutes before Stellies’ substitute goalkeeper Sage Stephens emerged as the hero, saving two crucial spot-kicks from Tashreeq Morris and Dillan Solomons to hand his side a 6-5 win.
Despite the heartbreak, Mthethwa’s tireless performance in midfield didn’t go unnoticed. By the 80th-minute fan voting deadline, supporters had chosen him as the Carling Knockout Man of the Match, earning him a R100 000 prize. The 30-year-old dominated the midfield, disrupted opposition attacks, and maintained control throughout the contest even as Chiefs struggled to find the breakthrough.
“There is nothing we can do,” Mthethwa told SuperSport TV after the match. “We tried our best, but luck wasn’t on our side. I want to apologise to our fans. I know how much this game meant to them we gave everything.”
Focus Shifts to the League and Nedbank Cup
The midfielder, affectionately known as Ox, admitted that the defeat was painful but vowed that the team would regroup and focus on the remainder of the season. “We just have to pick ourselves up and continue pushing in the league. Next year, we’ll come back stronger in the Nedbank Cup,” he added.
From Fringe Player to Key Figure
Mthethwa’s rise has been impressive. Last season, he struggled for game time, often left out of matchday squads and rarely featuring. But this campaign has marked a transformation ten games, ten starts, and growing influence in the heart of the Amakhosi midfield.
While Chiefs fans are left to nurse another cup disappointment, Mthethwa’s commitment and performance offered a rare silver lining and the R100 000 reward was a fitting acknowledgment of his relentless effort, even in defeat.
Related article: Kaizer Chiefs’ Carling Cup Exit Sums Up Their Troubled Season
