Success-starved Kaizer Chiefs paired with 'magical' amateurs

Pulse News Agency International by AFP 09:05 - 10 August 2024

Kaizer Chiefs star Khama Billiat (L) playing for Zimbabwe against Tunisia during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

Success-starved giants Kaizer Chiefs were paired with third-tier amateur opponents for the second successive round when the South Africa FA Cup round-of-16 draw was made Thursday.

Chiefs, winners of a record 53 domestic titles but without a trophy for 44 months, travel to Cape Town in mid-February to take on The Magic.

Last Sunday, Chiefs battled to overcome another amateur outfit, Tornado, winning 1-0 in East London after extra time through an own-goal.

With Chiefs seven points behind league leaders Bidvest Wits having played one match more, the FA Cup represents the best chance of ending the trophy drought.

"The players and I are well aware of our mandate, which is to trophies," said Chiefs' German coach Ernst Middendorp this week.

"If we continue to do our best day after day I am convinced there will be a change of fortune at the club."

The Magic were formed in 2012 by former national team striker George Dearnaley and eliminated a second division club on penalties in the round of 32.

Other attractive ties include in-form Black Leopards at home to Wits and Cape Town City hosting Highlands Park in all-Premiership clashes.

Draw

Cape Umoya Utd v Mbombela Utd, Jomo Cosmos v TS Galaxy, Witbank Spurs v Golden Arrows, The Magic v Kaizer Chiefs, Cape Town City v Highlands Park, Bloemfontein Celtic v Richards Bay, Black Leopards v Bidvest Wits, Chippa Utd v Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila

Note: matches to be played over weekend of Feb 15/17